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Closing ceremony: Paralympics closes in 'festival of flame' Closing ceremony: Paralympics ends in 'festival of flame'
(30 minutes later)
London is bidding an "exuberant" farewell to the 2012 Paralympic Games with a closing ceremony billed by organisers as "a Festival of Flame". The closing ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics has begun with a storm of wind, fire, and noise.
British band Coldplay is leading the show, which started 20:30 BST, with a live set reflecting the four seasons. The show, said to be a "festival of fire" honouring Britain's ancient traditions and festivals, brings to a close 11 days of sport.
Athletes entered the Stadium before the ceremony, and there will be a tribute to charity Help for Heroes. UK band Coldplay is leading the show, which kicked off at 20:30 BST, with a live set reflecting the four seasons.
The event ends what organisers say has been the most successful event in Paralympic history.The event ends what organisers say has been the most successful event in Paralympic history.
China has finished top of the Paralympic medals table, with 231 medals - 95 gold. Great Britain cemented third place behind Russia, with a tally of 120, including 34 golds. Unlike the other Games ceremonies, the 4,200 athletes are seated around the main arena, putting them at the heart of the action.
In other developments on the final weekend of 2012: As Sunday's show began, a tribute was paid to armed forces charity, Help for Heroes, and the Army personnel who provided last-minute Olympic security after private firm G4S failed to recruit enough guards.
GB Paralympians David Weir and Sarah Storey, who both won four gold medals at the Games, carried the British flag into the Stadium, as flagbearers representing 164 nations participating in the Paralympics entered the arena.
Later, the climax of the ceremony will see the Paralympic cauldron being extinguished and the Games officially handed to Rio de Janeiro, which will stage the Games in 2016.
Apart from Coldplay's live set, tonight's sold-out finale will feature a cast of around 1,200 performers on three circular stages - Summer, Winter and the Sundial.
The scene is set for a fitting finale to not just London 2012 but also the Paralympic Games.The scene is set for a fitting finale to not just London 2012 but also the Paralympic Games.
The centre of the Stadium is set out with chairs for the athletes, who have been the stars of these Games, and it is fitting that they will be the centre of attention as they sit and watch the show - rather than walking in during the middle.The centre of the Stadium is set out with chairs for the athletes, who have been the stars of these Games, and it is fitting that they will be the centre of attention as they sit and watch the show - rather than walking in during the middle.
Youngsters also play a big part in the ceremony - again appropriate with the legacy of both the Paralympics and Olympics starting to come to the front of people's minds.Youngsters also play a big part in the ceremony - again appropriate with the legacy of both the Paralympics and Olympics starting to come to the front of people's minds.
The show itself promises to be different to the other three ceremonies - "less spangly and more raw" according to artistic director Kim Gavin.The show itself promises to be different to the other three ceremonies - "less spangly and more raw" according to artistic director Kim Gavin.
It will end with the extinguishing of the cauldron, which will be an emotional and sad moment for those who have enjoyed London 2012 so much.It will end with the extinguishing of the cauldron, which will be an emotional and sad moment for those who have enjoyed London 2012 so much.
GB Paralympians David Weir and Sarah Storey, who each won four gold medals at the Games, will carry the British flag together into the closing ceremony tonight.
"During the London 2012 Paralympic Games, ParalympicsGB has witnessed some outstanding performances, and most notably from Sarah Storey and David Weir," said chef de mission Craig Hunter.
"These athletes represent the spirit of Paralympic athleticism."
Apart from Coldplay's music, Sunday's sold-out ceremony will feature performances by Jay-Z and Rihanna, alongside a cast of around 1,200 performers.
"The idea is the coming together as one," said artistic director Kim Gavin."The idea is the coming together as one," said artistic director Kim Gavin.
"We are known as a nation for having the most festivals, it is something that we do - with 600 festivals a year."We are known as a nation for having the most festivals, it is something that we do - with 600 festivals a year.
"We pay tribute to the all the human spirit and achievement through this wonderful sport of the last two weeks." "We pay tribute to all the human spirit and achievement through this wonderful sport of the last two weeks."
Mr Gavin hinted that would be "a few surprises" and that, "with it being a festival of the flame there will be a lot of flame - and the whole show will be very exciting".Mr Gavin hinted that would be "a few surprises" and that, "with it being a festival of the flame there will be a lot of flame - and the whole show will be very exciting".
"The Festival of the Flame celebrates the exuberance of festivals and the changing of the seasons," added 2012 organisers Locog."The Festival of the Flame celebrates the exuberance of festivals and the changing of the seasons," added 2012 organisers Locog.
Some 120 child volunteers from east London are expected to take part in tonight's show, with disabled aerial performers from Circus Scape and The British Paraorchestra.Some 120 child volunteers from east London are expected to take part in tonight's show, with disabled aerial performers from Circus Scape and The British Paraorchestra.
Speaking about the Games before the start of the ceremony, Prime Minister David Cameron said: "I think it's been an absolute triumph from start to finish and I'm really proud of the country, not just that we've put on a great show, but we've had these great audiences".Speaking about the Games before the start of the ceremony, Prime Minister David Cameron said: "I think it's been an absolute triumph from start to finish and I'm really proud of the country, not just that we've put on a great show, but we've had these great audiences".
Mr Cameron, whose disabled son Ivan died in 2009, added: "I think back to Ivan. As every parent, you think about all the things they can't do, but at the Paralympics they are superhuman, you see all the things they can do."Mr Cameron, whose disabled son Ivan died in 2009, added: "I think back to Ivan. As every parent, you think about all the things they can't do, but at the Paralympics they are superhuman, you see all the things they can do."
He also said it would give momentum to sports participation and the Paralympics had changed perceptions of disabled sport.He also said it would give momentum to sports participation and the Paralympics had changed perceptions of disabled sport.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson said "the hangover (after the Games have finished) won't happen, or at least we can get long-term benefit from this".Mayor of London Boris Johnson said "the hangover (after the Games have finished) won't happen, or at least we can get long-term benefit from this".
He added: "We want to see a social and cultural legacy from these Games". He also pledged to carry on "playing wiff waff".He added: "We want to see a social and cultural legacy from these Games". He also pledged to carry on "playing wiff waff".
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 live earlier on Sunday, organising committee chairman Lord Coe said: "It has been fantastic. We get Paralympics sport in this country. I never really doubted that the Paralympic Games would be anything other than a show-stopper."Speaking to BBC Radio 5 live earlier on Sunday, organising committee chairman Lord Coe said: "It has been fantastic. We get Paralympics sport in this country. I never really doubted that the Paralympic Games would be anything other than a show-stopper."
China has finished top of the Paralympic medals table, with 231 medals - 95 gold. Great Britain cemented third place behind Russia, with a tally of 120, including 34 golds.
In other developments on the final weekend of 2012:
  • Thousands of spectators cheered GB's David Weir to victory in the wheelchair marathon - his fourth 2012 gold medal.
  • Team-mate Shelly Woods took the silver in the women's race
  • On Sunday, Brazil's Tito Sena won the T46 marathon, and Alberto Suarez of Spain won gold in the T12 event, breaking his own world record with a time of 2:24:50
  • Organisers say some 2.7 million Paralympic tickets have been sold - beating targets by 200,000 and predicted sales by £10m
On Monday, British stars of the Olympics and Paralympics will celebrate their success during a victory parade through the streets of London.On Monday, British stars of the Olympics and Paralympics will celebrate their success during a victory parade through the streets of London.
Are you attending the Paralympics closing ceremony? Will you watch the event on TV? What is the legacy? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.Are you attending the Paralympics closing ceremony? Will you watch the event on TV? What is the legacy? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.