The latest reports state that 154 people have been confirmed dead as a result of the earthquake with financial claims from the disaster set to be between $2.75 billion (£1.25 billion) and $3.5 billion (£1.6 billion).

The 2011 Games, due to take place from April 15 -17, were set to feature a number of sports including track and field, swimming, boccia and team para-triathlon.

A number of key venues in Christchurch were set to stage the event, including the 20,000 capacity QEII Stadium which was the venue of the 2011 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletics World Championships in January.

A statement said: "This is clearly a very difficult time for so many people, families and organisations involved in the Games.

"Much later in the year the organisers will look towards planning for the 2012 event.

"But for now their thoughts and very best wishes are with everyone who has been impacted by the recent events."

The earthquake on February 22 follows a major 7.1 magnitude earthquake that struck Christchurch on September 4 last year and put the IPC Athletics World Championships in doubt.

Another three earthquakes measuring 5.1, 3.4 and 4.0 on the Richter scale again rocked Christchurch the day before the Championships begun on January 20 but the event still went ahead as planned with the city successfully hosting more than 1,000 elite athletes from over 70 countries.

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