Hunt (pictured top), who was formerly the Shadow Minister for Disabled People when the Conservatives were in opposition, said the majority of people attending the Paralympics and watching them on television will be doing so for the first time and he expects the competition to help change their views of disability.

"Overall, the big legacy from this Paralympics will be the perception it creates about disabled people, a much more positive perception," he said here.

"For many of us it will be the first time they've ever seen a Paralympic Games and it will be a very big moment to change perceptions.

"This Paralympic Games will also be a fantastic opportunity to boost Paralympic sport throughout the country for thousands of children."

Hunt continued that the Games have already helped improve the transport system for disabled people and will continue to do so.

"These Games are a chance to highlight disability transport issues and where there's more progress to make, as well as the great progress we already have made," he said.

The Paralympics has helped improve accessibility for disabled people using public transport, such as the tube, in London

The Commissioner of Transport for London (TfL) Peter Hendy, who sat alongside Hunt at the press conference, added that there is good access for disabled Paralympic spectators in the capital.

"Our entire bus route is accessible," he said.

"The entire taxi fleet is accessible.

"The Docklands Light Railway is accessible.

"The tube has more step-free stations than it's ever had before.

"Of course it has to be recognised that it's the oldest system in the world, and the clues in the name 'underground', which means most stations are actually very difficult to make accessible unless you expend a lot of money."

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