Paralympic Games: Torch is lit by athletes in Stoke Mandeville

The torch will be carried by 24 British bearers in the UK before it is handed over to 24 French Paralympians in Calais.

Organisers said once in France, each torch would then ignite another 12 torches to symbolise the number of days the games would last. The flames would then be spread across the country for about 1,200 forerunners to relay.

The relays will converge in Paris on 28 August, where the Paralympic cauldron will be lit at the Paralympic Games opening ceremony.

It was hoped using Stoke Mandeville would raise global awareness of the role it had played in the birth of the Paralympic movement via Sir Ludwig.

“Words cannot describe the honour of being chosen to light the Paralympic Flame alongside Gregor,” said Raynsford, the first Paralympic rowing champion.

Ewan, a three-time Paralympian in wheelchair rowing, added it was an “extremely special occasion”.