The 45-year-old returned home this week after a fortnight of nail-biting action in Vancouver's Olympic Centre.

Pete's Team GB rink narrowly failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the men's curling competition, losing a tense play-off against a strong Sweden team.

But he told the Fife Herald the experience had been more than worthwhile despite this disappointment.

He said: "To go out and represent my country at an Olympics is something I've always wanted to do, so to get that opportunity with such a great team of guys was fantastic.

"Of course it's tinged with disappointment because we went there with aspirations of winning a medal.

"For some reason we didn't play to our potential, but often it was just a matter of an inch here and an inch there — that's how it is at the top level."

Among the 6,000 raucous spectators in the Olympic Centre were four of Pete's biggest fans — his wife Laura and their children Pollyanna (8), Toby (7) and Monty (2).

"Laura and the kids came out about half way through and they had a great time," said Pete.

"Hopefully the older two will have some good memories to take away from the Olympics.

"Monty might not remember much, but I could hear him shouting 'Come on, Dad!' during the games, which was great."

Read more in this week's Fife Herald.