The London 2012 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) announced [15 September] a brand new concept where the Paralympic Torch Relay would lead the UK into the start of the London 2012 Paralympic Games on the evening of Wednesday 29 August 2012.

The Paralympic Torch Relay programme will include four separate ceremonies in each nation of the UK. This will include 580 Torchbearers working in teams of five to carry the Paralympic Flame towards the Stadium to light the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

The first flame lighting event will be held in London on Friday 24 August 2012. This will kick off the relay before Belfast stages the second lighting event and the first of the four evening Flame Festivals on 25 August. Edinburgh on 26 August and Cardiff on 27 August will be the next two host cities.  Each nation will create its own "unique method of lighting", which will be announced closer to the time of the relay next year.

Once the flame has been lit it will visit local community groups and key locations in and around the city. Each city will host an evening celebration called a Flame Festival, featuring Flame-themed entertainment and a lantern procession. There will be lantern making workshops held on the days of the Flame Festivals, as well as earlier in the summer. People from all communities can participate in a lantern procession accompanied by specially selected torchbearers. The Flame Festivals are public events staged by LOCOG with the assistance of the host Local Authority and will include Flame themed entertainment to be programmed by LOCOG and the Presenting Partners.

The four flames will come together in Stoke Mandeville the home of the Paralympic Movement the following day, where they will be combined to create the London 2012 Paralympic Flame at the special ceremony on Tuesday 28 August. Eleven-time Paralympic gold medal-winning swimmer David Roberts said "To go to the four corners of the UK and to have four flames coming together in the birthplace of the Paralympics is so special.

Presented by BT, Lloyds TSB and Sainsbury’s, the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay will showcase the very best of teamwork by shining a light on those who have worked together to reach a collective goal.

LOCOG Chair Sebastian Coe said: "There is a distinct feeling about the Paralympics and this relay will be about human endeavour, and a celebration of Paralympic sport with these Flame Festivals."

Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport said: "The torch relay will take the Paralympics to each home nation helping to build excitement for the Games and awareness of disability sport. This is our chance to welcome home the Paralympic movement."

The Paralympic torch will be based on the core design for the London 2012 Olympic torch, with some differences, say the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Locog. The Paralympic version will be unveiled next year.