An optician who will be looking after athletes during the Paraylmpic Closing Ceremony tonight, said he will be “deflated” when it is all over.

Anil Gupta, 61, of Wellesley Road, Ilford, will be a marshall at the ceremony and will be responsible for taking care of the athletes and keeping them in the designated areas in what he believes “will be a totally different” show.

He said: “This ceremony will be truly unique. It is great to be involved and I think everyone will feel deflated once it’s all over.

“In this final performance we really want to make the country proud and convey a message that despite disability you can still succeed.”