Queen opens 'uplifting' Paralympics

The Queen praised the "uplifting spirit" of the Paralympic Games on Wednesday night as she launched the sporting spectacle featuring disabled athletes from across the world.

Hundreds of men and women who have trained for years to compete at London 2012 will soon be in action - a first for some at the global event.

The Queen completed her own milestone by opening a Paralympics for the first time - uttering the words: "I declare open the London 2012 Paralympic Games".

A vibrant and imaginative opening ceremony staged in Stratford's Olympic Stadium heralded the beginning of the sporting event and featured Professor Stephen Hawking, who has motor neurone disease, a host of famous Paralympians and hundreds of volunteers.

The Queen extended greetings to the visiting athletes and looked forward to the 11-day spectacle that begins on Thursday.

In a statement released earlier in the evening she said: "It is with tremendous pride that the people of London and the United Kingdom welcome the world to the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

"The Games are returning to the country where they first began, more than 60 years ago.

"We look forward to celebrating the uplifting spirit which distinguishes the Paralympic Games from other events, drawing on Britain's unique sporting heritage."