The opening ceremony of the London Olympic Games took place on Friday night. The event started with Britain's first ever Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins ringing a huge bell. After that came songs and images from the four countries of Great Britain – England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

There followed images of British history from Shakespeare's times to the industrial revolution to punk, Harry Potter and digital Britain. There was a special tribute to inventor of the worldwide web, Sir Tim Berners-Lee.

The three-hour event was officially opened by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, who said: "I declare open the Games of London, celebrating the 30th Olympiad of the modern era." The Olympic flame arrived by a boat steered by English soccer player David Beckham.

Seven young athletes lit the Olympic Cauldron, made from 204 copper petals carried in by teams from across the world. Then the fireworks lit up the sky around the Olympic Park. The ceremony ended with Sir Paul McCartney and the audience singing Hey Jude.

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