A novice drummer is still riding high on the excitement of finding herself at the centre of the Olympic ceremony’s musical medley.

Roberta Greenhalgh, 57, of Golf Club Drive, Kingston, had never played a drum before auditioning to be part of the 2012 Games.

Now she can proudly say she has played the instrument in front of an audience of about 80,000 people.

The mature Kingston University student was part of the industrial revolution segment of the ceremony and then helped out as a stadium warden during the latter stages of the show.

She said: “I have never played the drums in my life, I have played the guitar but not the drums.

"They picked out the drummers for their sense of rhythm.

“They chose 1,000 drummers – a third were professional, a third had some experience and a third just had good rhythm.”

Mrs Greenhalgh, who is studying for a degree in English literature said after 33 rehearsals and a dress rehearsal she was very excited to finally go on stage.

She said: “It was unbelievable and I was proud to be British. It was the best of Britain with all walks of life from all areas wanting to show Britain off at its best.”