A global audience of more than one billion saw London bring the curtain down on a spectacular Olympics which was today hailed as the best ever.

They were called the ‘happy and glorious Games’ by International Olympic Committee boss Jacques Rogge, while mastermind Lord Coe told the 80,000 people inside the Olympic Stadium: “We did it right.”

He said: “On the first day of these games I said we were determined to do it right. I said these Games would see the best of us.

“On this last day I can conclude with these words: When our time came, Britain, we did it right. Thank you.”

Describing the 17-day event as ‘a wonderful Games in a wonderful city’, he added: “We lit the flame and lit up the world.”

The Games have been a spectacular success for British sportsmen and women with Team GB finishing third in the table with 65 medals – 29 of them Gold – in the greatest haul since 1908.

A worldwide audience was treated to a spectacular celebration of British music during the closing ceremony last night before the flame was extinguished to officially close the curtain on one of the most memorable sporting extravaganzas of recent times.

The skies above the Olympic Stadium were then lit up by a glittering firework display as the arena’s packed stands joined in with a rousing rendition of The Who’s My Generation.

Earlier, singer Gary Barlow had put personal heartbreak aside to perform with Take That despite mourning the loss of his baby daughter.

Baby Poppy was delivered stillborn last Saturday when Barlow’s wife, former dancer Dawn, was eight months pregnant.

As International Olympic Committee boss Jacques Rogge declared the 2012 Olympics closed, he said: “These were happy and glorious Games.

We will never forget the smiles, the kindness and the support of the wonderful volunteers, the heroes of these Games.

“You have shown the world the best of British hospitality.”

Read more in today's Shropshire Star and catch up with all of our London 2012 coverage here.