The team won a total of 102 medals, putting them second only to hosts China in the medal table and British Airways laid on an aeroplane with a gold-tipped nose, just as they had won done when the Olympic team came home last month.

 

The performance of the Paralympians bettered Britain's 2004 total of 94 medals, including 35 gold.

 

London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe, who flew back with the team to Heathrow, said they had produced some "outstanding" performances.

 

He said: "The evident quality of their work is clear and it is a combination of support from the governing bodies, world class coaching and incredibly ambitious competitors."

 

He said that London 2012 now has a "huge responsibility" to deliver a special Olympic and Paralympic Games in four years.

 

Earlier, Sir Paul McCartney had sent the team a message of congratulations.

 

The former Beatle is part of a high profile advertising campaign, launched in the summer, aimed at raising £2 million to help support the Beijing-bound Paralympians and also to boost the future of sport for the disabled.

 

He said: "Well done guys you did us all proud.

 

"I'm very excited about our athletes' performances in the Beijing Paralympics and seeing as we have just launched an appeal I look forward to the London Olympics with even more excitement."