Capital ready to burn bright with torch role for London Paralympics

a FLAME is to be lit in Edinburgh to start the torch relay ahead of the London 2012 Paralympics.

It will be one of four flames to be lit for the relay, the others in London, Belfast and Cardiff.

The flame will then tour community groups in the city before meeting up with the other three to become a single flame at Stoke Mandeville in Buckinghamshire, home of the Paralympics.

Each of the four flames is to be ignited in a different way and after they are combined, the torch will be carried by a succession of 580 torchbearers ahead of the games.

London 2012 chairman Lord Coe said: “Day after day, our Paralympians show the energy of human endeavour, both on and off the sporting field of play.

“By lighting the flame which heralds the start of their competition through the energy of human endeavour, the London 2012 Paralympic torch relay is a tribute to their inspirational stories of courage and determination and a celebration of teamwork across the UK.”