Back-up torch to light Paralympic flame at end of opening ceremony

Official London 2012 organisers have confirmed that a back-up torch will light the cauldron at the close of the Paralympics opening ceremony due to a lengthy delay in the torch relay.

There were fears that the original flame would not be able to mark the start of the Paralympic Games due to an initial one-hour-and-a-half delay.

It has now been claimed that the delay has increased to three hours due to poor weather conditions, which has hampered various change-overs along the route.

The opening ceremony is due to begin at 8pm this evening.