A marathon runner will be at the centre of Bulgaria’s first ever British Week when he tours the country with his Olympic Torch.

Simon Buckden will meet the president and the British Ambassador and appear on the country’s equivalent of The Jonathan Ross Show.

The Saltaire Strider,, who carried the torch in Leeds, is known as “Marathon Man” for running 51 marathons in 70 weeks to raise awareness of post traumatic stress disorder.

He said: “I feel honoured to have been given this opportunity to represent my country by being the only British torchbearer. It is also an amazing opportunity to promote awareness of post traumatic stress disorder and mental health.”

Mr Buckden, 41, of Bramley, served for 12 years and was medically discharged in 2001 with post traumatic stress disorder.

Last year the former sergeant was part of Yorkshire Day celebrations in Bradford when he raised money for Help for Heroes by aiming to run 100 marathons in 100 weeks – including his 50th on a treadmill at the Cedar Court Hotel on August 1. He carried on with the challenge despite being diagnosed with cancer and undergoing treatment, but was forced to stop after his 51st run.

British Week will celebrate all things British in Bulgaria and Mr Buckden has been invited to the town of Mezdra by the mayor, through his links with a friend living in the country.

Mr Buckden has got special permission from Jet2 to carry the torch on his flight. He will take it to various towns and villages,.

Rosemary and Bobby Martin from TrustGlobal radio organised the visit.

Mr Buckden said: “When I carried the torch in Yorkshire it was mad. They said there were 300,000 people there. It will be interesting to see how a Brit going out there will be received with recent issues with immigrants from Bulgaria coming here.”