In a festival that took place in the shadow of Stoke Mandeville Hospital - the spiritual home of the Paralympics - the celebration formally started the countdown to the Games in front of 3,000 guests.

The 92-mile flame tour, which takes in the National Spinal Injuries Centre at the hospital, will lead the way towards Wednesday's Opening Ceremony, which will be attended by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

The four flames, which had been kindled by boy scouts on the UK’s highest peaks, were carried into the Stoke Mandeville Stadium by eight inspirational figures.