A PONTYPOOL soldier is among the 18,000 military staff playing a key role at the Olympic Games.

Pontypool soldier Private Thomas Gregory, 22, of A Company, 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh, is also working as part of the venue security team, at Hyde Park where the triathlon and swimming events are being held.

Private Gregory, a former student who studied countryside management at Usk Agricultural College, joined the Army a year ago.

He said: “I think the work we have been doing for the Olympics has been really important for our public image and I have also enjoyed seeing London, I’ve seen all of the sights. I also saw the triathlon, which was good, and the atmosphere everywhere has just been amazing.”