'Greatest Paralympics ever'

In Pictures: The Paralympic Games closing ceremony

The closing ceremony - billed as the Festival of the Flame - lived up to its name as flame throwers, blazing torches and a gigantic heart of fire lit up the Olympic Stadium.

Fireworks are let off to signal the end of the Paralympic Games closing Ceremony
Fireworks are let off to signal the end of the Paralympic Games closing Ceremony Credit: John Walton/PA Wire
Fireworks are let off to signal the end of the Paralympic Games closing Ceremony
Fireworks are let off to signal the end of the Paralympic Games closing Ceremony Credit: PA

It was headlined by the band Coldplay who played hit such as Clocks, Viva La Vida and Paradise.

Coldplay perform during the Paralympic Games closing ceremony.
Coldplay perform during the Paralympic Games closing ceremony. Credit: Lynne Cameron/PA Wire

Popstar Rihanna performed Princess of China with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and her smash hit We Found Love .

Rihanna performs during the Paralympic Games closing ceremony.
Rihanna performs during the Paralympic Games closing ceremony. Credit: Anna Gowthorpe/PA Wire

Hip-hop heavyweight Jay-Z also joined the party.

Jay-Z, Rihanna and Chris Martin perform during the Paralympic Games closing Ceremony
Jay-Z, Rihanna and Chris Martin perform during the Paralympic Games closing Ceremony Credit: Lynne Cameron/PA Wire

Earlier, blind singer Lissa Hermans sang the National Anthem at the start of the evening.

The singer, who is also autistic, entered the now-famous stadium's field of play on "the Human Endeavour machine", pulled by a team from wounded soldiers' charity Help for Heroes.

Blind singer Lissa Hermans sang the National Anthem
Blind singer Lissa Hermans sang the National Anthem Credit: EMPICS Sport/EMPICS Sport

The team also raised a flagpole which war hero Captain Luke Sinnott -who lost both legs in a blast on the battlefields of Helmand - climbed to hang the Union Flag from the top.

Captain Luke Sinnot climbs a flag pole during the Closing Ceremony.
Captain Luke Sinnot climbs a flag pole during the Closing Ceremony. Credit: David Davies/PA Wire
Ellie Simmonds and Jonnie Peacock light their torches from the Paralympic Flame before it is extinguished
Ellie Simmonds and Jonnie Peacock light their torches from the Paralympic Flame before it is extinguished Credit: Anna Gowthorpe/PA Wire
Ellie Simmonds during the Closing Ceremony
Ellie Simmonds during the Closing Ceremony Credit: David Davies/PA Wire

During the ceremony, Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds, who won four medals during the Games tweeted:

Queenmond?size=bigger

What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us. What we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal. (Albert Pike)

From @QueenMond on Twitter:
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I think that sums up all the inspirational moments from the past few weeks of sport.. You can be somebody. You can inspire millions.

From @QueenMond on Twitter:
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Think of every child who's eyes lit up watching their role models become heros. Think of how many dreams have been planted..

From @QueenMond on Twitter:
Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, arrives with IPC President Sir Philip Craven (left) during the Paralympic Games closing ceremony.
Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, arrives with IPC President Sir Philip Craven (left) during the Paralympic Games closing ceremony. Credit: Anna Gowthorpe/PA Wire

David Weir and Sarah Storey, who each won four gold medals at the London 2012 Paralympics, carried the British flag together during the ceremony.

Sarah Storey and David Weir with Great Britain flag.
Sarah Storey and David Weir with Great Britain flag. Credit: Lynne Cameron/PA Wire
Great Britain's flag bearers Sarah Storey and David Weir.
Great Britain's flag bearers Sarah Storey and David Weir. Credit: David Davies/PA Wire
Paralympic flag-bearers create a heart shape in the Olympic Stadium.
Paralympic flag-bearers create a heart shape in the Olympic Stadium. Credit: Chris Radburn/PA Wire
A dancer painted in blue and yellow.
A dancer painted in blue and yellow. Credit: David Davies/PA Wire
The Paralympic cauldron during the Paralympic Games closing ceremony.
The Paralympic cauldron during the Paralympic Games closing ceremony. Credit: Anna Gowthorpe/PA Wire
A scene during the London 2012 Paralympic Games closing ceremony
A scene during the London 2012 Paralympic Games closing ceremony Credit: EMPICS Sport/EMPICS Sport
A fire display in the Olympic Stadium
A fire display in the Olympic Stadium Credit: David Davies/PA Wire
A fire breather in the Olympic Stadium
A fire breather in the Olympic Stadium Credit: Lynne Cameron/PA Wire
Performers swing balls around the Olympic Stadium field.
Performers swing balls of smoke around the Olympic Stadium field. Credit: Chris Radburn/PA Wire
Festival of flame in the Olympic Stadium
Festival of flame in the Olympic Stadium Credit: Lynne Cameron/PA Wire
An inflatable Paralympic Agitos.
An inflatable Paralympic Agitos. Credit: David Davies/PA Wire
A performer at the Paralympics Opening Ceremony
A performer at the Paralympics Opening Ceremony Credit: Anna Gowthorpe/PA Wire
Anna Gowthorpe/PA Wire
The Paralympic closing ceremony marks the end of an incredible month of sport in the UK. Credit: Anna Gowthorpe/PA Wire
The Games are handed over to Rio 2016
The Games are handed over to Rio 2016 Credit: Chris Radburn/PA Wire
Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg at the closing ceremony of the London Paralympic Games
Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg at the closing ceremony of the London Paralympic Games Credit: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire
Boris Johnson (left) former mayor Ken Livingstone and Labour leader Ed Miliband at the Olympic Stadium
Boris Johnson (left) former mayor Ken Livingstone and Labour leader Ed Miliband at the Olympic Stadium Credit: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

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