A Wimbledon resident turned Hollywood actress has been picked to carry the Olympic flame through London on April 6.

Rising star Amara Karan will be among the 80 torchbearers taking the flame on the London leg of the torch relay.

The torch will travel to 22 cities on five continents, before arriving back in Beijing for the start of this year's games on August 8.

It will pass through 10 London boroughs, starting at Wembley Stadium and finshing at the Arena in North Greenwich, which is to be one of the venues for the 2012 Games.

The torch will not pay a visit to Merton, however, even though Wimbledon's All England Club will play host to tennis events during the London Olympics.

Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London said: "It is a great honour for our city to participate in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay and once again carry the Olympic spirit of friendship and co-operation between nations across the world.

"In the year that will see the handover from Beijing to London, it is a unique opportunity to generate interest and excitement across the capital as London itself prepares for the Games in 2012."

Amara, 23, went to Wimbledon High School and Oxford University before beginning a job in banking.

But she soon quit the City to pursue a career in acting, and already has high-profile films The Darjeeling Limited and St Trinian's under her belt.

She will join Dame Kelly Holmes and Sir Trevor McDonald in carrying the Olympic torch.

Current Wimbledon High pupil Emily Giles will also be among the torchbearers.