They are unsung community stalwarts who organise events and activities for their villages and towns and are happy not to take any credit for their efforts.

However, one modest north Suffolk woman was thrust firmly into the limelight yesterday as she was hailed as a shining light for devoting much of her time as a volunteer in her local community.

Frances Bullard, of Kessingland, near Lowestoft, took part in latest leg of the national Community Games Relay.

Each stage of the relay is dedicated to a person who is being hailed as a 'shining light' as they epitomise last year's Olympic spirit by volunteering in their communities.

Mrs Bullard, 44, was nominated for the relay stage for Suffolk by Kessingland Parish Council as she was involved with the village's diamond jubilee community games last summer, its primary school, the Hangout youth club, the Big Lunch and Kessingland Sea Sailing Club.

As part of the relay, Mrs Bullard was handed a commemorative shirt by Paralympic bronze powerlifting medallist Zoe Newson, 21, from East Bergholt, and watched a tag rugby match with pupils from Warren School and joined a group of Nordic walkers.

Mrs Bullard, a mother of one who is also parish clerk at Wrentham, said: 'I'm very flattered, but I am sure there are other people who deserve to be nominated instead of me. I volunteer as I just want to help people in my community.'

When the Community Games Relay finishes on July 27, Mrs Bullard and the other 69 'shining lights' from across the country will be invited to a special ceremony at the Olympic Park in which they will be met by the head of the 2012 games, Lord Coe.

The Community Games is being delivered by the County Sports Partnerships to help keep the Olympic spirit alive.

Yesterday's relay stage involved Suffolk Sport.

Henry Tapp, community games co-ordinator at Suffolk Sport, said: 'Frances embodies the Community Games spirit and we hope that her achievements are an inspiration to others across the county.'

In Norfolk, two 'shining lights' have taken part in relay stages, Tim Stapleford, a school teacher who organised the Jenny Lind Community Games, and village stalwart Kerri Duncan, from Hevingham.