The Welsh Flame used to light the cauldron was created at the summit of Snowdon by Scouts who struck a ferrocerium rod against a rough steel surface to create the sparks for the Flame during a Flame lighting event held on 22 August.
Simon Richardson was given the honour of lighting the cauldron outside City Hall in Cardiff. Following a car accident which left him with serioue injuries and no feeling down his left-hand side, Simon took up cycling which saw him win two gold and one silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games. In 2011, Simon was injured again when struck by a car whilst cycling, fracturing his spine and suffering several other injuries which left him in a critical condition.
Throughout the day the Flame will be the focus of several celebration events in Wales as representatives from Swansea and Conwy will light lanterns from the cauldron, enabling them to take part of the Flame to events in their communities.
The day culminates in a Flame Festival from 7pm where a spectacular lantern procession of over 200 people will accompany Torchbearers as the Welsh Flame arrives in Roald Dahl Plass. The event will feature performances from the Wales Millennium Centre's own choirs, Hard Côr and Only Kids Aloud and the Tredegar Brass Band.
The Torchbearers carrying the Welsh Flame include Simon Weston, former Welsh Guardsman, who was badly burned when the ship he was serving on, the Sir Galahad, was destroyed in Bluff Cove on the Falkland Islands. Nazim Erdem, who became a quadriplegic when he dove into shallow water, breaking his neck, will also carry the Flame.
The Welsh Flame will then be taken to Stoke Mandeville where a special ceremony will take place on Tuesday 28 August, uniting the four National Flames to create the Paralympic Flame. A 24-hour Relay will follow, during which the Flame will be carried by Torchbearers, working in teams of five, to the Olympic Stadium for the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
Find out where you can see the Welsh National Flame and be part of celebrations.
Watch highlights from yesterday's Paralympic Flame celebrations in Scotland
