Featuring around 700 Team GB and ParalympicsGB athletes aboard 21 giant floats, British stars including gold medallists Sir Chris Hoy, Jessica Ennis (pictured top), Mo Farah, Dave Weir, Sarah Storey and Ellie Simmonds were met by huge crowds over the entire length of their three-hour victory parade through London.

The climax came at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace where the floats stopped and the athletes stood together on the steps of the famous monument to absorb the cheers of the crowd in front of a select group that included 14,000 volunteers, members of the blue-light services, military personnel and schoolchildren from every London borough.

Following speeches from Sir Chris and Storey, the athletes were joined by Prime Minister David Cameron, the Princess Royal, President of the British Olympic Association, and Mayor of London Boris Johnson, who all spoke of their admiration for London 2012.

Paralympic and Olympic gold medallists Sarah Storey and Sir Chris Hoy addressed the cheering throngs

"Thank you for what is still to come – you promised to inspire a generation and that is exactly what you are doing," Cameron told the athletes.

"One hundred days on from those unforgettable celebrations for Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee that took place right where we are standing now, this is the Great British Summer that will be remembered in hundreds of years to come."

However, the biggest cheers were reserved for Johnson as he took to the microphone.

"You brought this country together in a way we never expected," he said in a message to Londoners.

"You routed the doubters and you scattered the gloomsters, and for the first time in living memory you caused tube-train passengers to break into spontaneous conversation with their neighbours about subjects other than their trod-on toes."

Trafalgar Square was a riot of colour as fans soaked up the atmosphere of the London 2012 victory parade

A small concert and fireworks display followed the speeches in a fitting climax to what has been a wonderful London 2012 that saw both Team GB and ParalympicsGB finish third on their respective medals tables.

The parade set out from Mansion House in the City at 1.30pm before travelling along a packed Queen Victoria Street and Cannon Street before passing by St Paul's Cathedral.

It continued along Fleet Street, past Aldwych and into The Strand before reaching a colourful Trafalgar Square that attracted some of the biggest crowds of the day.

The Square also featured a big screen at the base of Nelson's Column along with live commentary to allow spectators to keep abreast of the action.

Union Flag-waving supporters get up close and personal to their Paralympic heroes

The parade later turned through Admiralty Arch into The Mall before travelling down to the Queen Victoria Memorial for the climax.

"Thank you to our athletes for their always-inspiring achievements – I mean all the athletes, not just those who've won medals," said HRH The Princess Royal, an International Olympics Committee member in addition to her BOA role.

"You are now Olympians and Paralympians, and you set the tone for the future."

The parade, one of the biggest single-day logistical operations ever undertaken in London, was organised by the Mayor's Office in conjunction with the BOA and British Paralympic Association.

Prime Minister David Cameron paid special tribute to the London 2012 Games Makers outside 10 Downing Street before the parade started

It was being delivered involving a range of partners, including the London 2012, the City of London Corporation, Westminster City Council, the Metropolitan Police, Transport for London and The Royal Parks.

"London 2012 has been a fantastic Games and the whole country should feel immensely proud of what has been achieved," added Hugh Robertson, Minister for Sport and Olympics.

"Quite rightly our glorious athletes have taken centre stage thanks to their incredible achievements, but we should also pay tribute to the thousands of torchbearers, volunteers and other unsung heroes who have all played their part."

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