Britain finished second overall in the medals table in the Chinese capital with 102 medals, including 42 gold.

 

The team flew back to the UK to a heroes' welcome and the efforts of many Paralympians, their trainers and senior staff at ParalympicsGB were recognised in the New Year Honours.

 

The Queen, who hosted the event, was joined by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Earl of Wessex, patron of the British Paralympic Association, the Countess of Wessex, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Gloucester.

 

Guests from the world of politics included Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell, London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe, Culture Secretary Andy Burnham and Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe.

 

Simmonds was one of the stars who captured the public's imagination following her exploits in the pool at Beijing.

 

At just 13 Simmonds entered the history books as Britain's second youngest individual Paralympic or Olympic medallist when she won golds in the 100 and 400 metres freestyle last year.

 

It was the second time in a week she had met the Queen having visited Buckingham Palace to receive an MBE.

 

Simmonds said: "It's still really special coming here.

 

"Everybody is special in there, everybody's got a really good talent, they're just so good at their own sport - it's just good for all of us to be honoured by the Queen."

 

Equestrian Lee Pearson, 35, won three golds at his sport in Beijing and was proud to join his sporting colleagues at the Palace.

 

He said: "Everybody from the public up to the Queen are enthusiastic about Paralympians.

 

"I think education has played a major part of it and media interest has played a major part of it.

 

"I think they now realise they're athletes with disabilities, not disabled people just doing a sport because they've got a disability.

 

"I think everybody's really proud of them and the athletes are proud of each other - to get the recognition and coming to the palace is the icing on the cake."