Paralymics open with a Big Bang

The London 2012 Paralympic Games began  with a big bang as science and spectacle combined in the opening ceremony.

Professor Stephen Hawking, one of the world's leading scientists, was the narrator for the evening on the theme of "enlightenment".

There was a slight hitch in the proceedings when the torch procession to the Olympic park was delayed due to bad weather (in typical British fashion - in fact umbrellas featured prominently in the ceremony) but the lighting of the cauldron went ahead as planned.

Athletes from 164 teams are taking part in the events.