Security guards were on hand to deal with an opportunistic businessman as the Olympic torch travelled through the borough.

The man jumped onto the road ahead of the torch procession carrying a placard promoting his business as South Croydon resident John Uwins ran along the Croydon Flyover just after 12.30pm.

Security working with the Met Police stopped the man almost immediately and he was led away.

Mr Uwins, 60, from Sanderstead, said: “We were told it was a bet – he had been convinced to run aout and try and advertise his new business. The crazy thing was he ran out with his back to the cameras so it was only me who actually saw the advert anyway.”

The man appeared about 10metres in front of Mr Uwins, who is chairman of the West Wickham Football and Cricket Club, but was immediately grabbed.

Mr Uwins added: “I never felt threatened; the security guys were so fast. The one disappointment is the atmosphere was obviously just indescribable so you don’t want anything like that.”

No arrests were made relating to the torch relay in Croydon.