Elite athletics volunteers and Heads Nook couple Alan Bell and Lesley Minervini will team up at a prestigious European indoor event.

Chief starter Bell has fired his gun at a host of glittering global events, including the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

The 68-year-old - who once disqualified Usain Bolt - is on an elite panel of officials for appointment at major competitions.

He will next be on duty as chief starter at the European Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow next month.

Minervini, 56, is also a top-level athletics official and will team up with her partner in Scotland, having been appointed one of the starters’ assistants.

“After the world indoor championships, it’s the major indoor event in the world calendar,” said Bell.

“I’m delighted that Lesley is going to be in the team. It won’t be unique: I’m sure there will have been other male-female partnerships who have worked together.

"But it’s special for us as it’s the first time ever at that level.”

Bell will head-up a group comprising four starters and four starters’ officials for races, ranging from 60m to 3,000m.

Minervini will ensure athletes are in the right place, lined-up correctly and behaving properly.

She said: “We’ve worked together lots of times before but not on a big stage like this. I’m really excited.

“No matter how many times you do it, it’s still really nerve-racking when you get out on the track and you’ve got a full stadium.

“But I’m really looking forward to it.”