Paralympic village at Surrey's Royal Holloway College

Royal Holloway graduate Sophie Christiansen is among the athletes

More than 170 athletes and coaches are staying at Royal Holloway College in Surrey ahead of the Paralympic Games.

The Egham campus of the University of London is hosting teams from countries including Brazil, China, Estonia, Russia and the US.

A Paralympic village has been set up on the campus, with athletes staying in the university's student accommodation.

Jonathan Main, head of premises, said: "The athletes have settled in and the village is covered with team flags."

The university said ParalympicsGB's rowers, including world champion Tom Aggar, were also staying on campus.

Several teams based in Egham are in their final stages of training ahead of the rowing events that will be held at Dorney Lake from 31 August, with medals being decided on 2 September.

Royal Holloway maths graduate Sophie Christiansen is also staying at her old university.

She will be competing for ParalympicsGB in the three equestrian dressage disciplines - team, individual and freestyle - at Greenwich Park.

Mr Main said: "The huge benefit that Royal Holloway offered [London 2012 organiser] Locog was that our accommodation was already suitable for people with disabilities and is of a very high standard."

He said: "The college will be eagerly following Sophie and the Team GB rowers during the Paralympic Games and will be joining the nation in cheering them on."