First Minister Carwyn Jones on Paralympic 'superhumans'

Cyclist Mark Colbourne, 42, from Tredegar, secured Britain's first medal in the Paralympics

First Minister Carwyn Jones has paid tribute to the "superhuman strength and dedication" displayed by Welsh athletes at the Paralympics.

He said sportsmen and women like south Wales cyclist Mark Colbourne have been central to the Paralympic GB's hugely impressive medal haul.

A homecoming celebration will be held in Cardiff next Friday for Welsh athletes in ParalympicGB and Team GB.

Mr Jones spoke ahead of the Paralympics closing ceremony on Sunday evening.

He said: "With these Paralympic Games, Wales has proven once again we are a truly great nation for disabled sport.

"Welsh competitors have been central to ParalympicGB's success - making a vital contribution to the exceptional medal haul.

"Our Paralympians have shown superhuman strength and dedication to become world class athletes and make it to the greatest sporting stage there is. What they have achieved is an inspiration to all of us."

Colbourne, 42, from Tredegar, south Wales, won Britain's first medal in the Paralympics, securing a gold and two silvers.

Bridgend-born Aled Davies, 21, now living in Cardiff, won gold medal for F42 discus and a bronze in F42/44 shot put.

Josie Pearson, 26, from Hay-on-Wye, Powys, also won a gold in the F51 discus competition.

A postbox in Swansea has been painted gold to honour Paralympic swimming champion Ellie Simmonds, 17, who is based in the city.

She relocated to Swansea with her mother at the age of 11 so she could be trained by coach Billy Pye in the city's 50-metre pool.

Her father, brother and three sisters remained in the West Midlands and she continues to travel back on weekends to visit them.

Simmonds finished the Games with two golds - in the 200m SM6 individual medley and S6 400m freestyle - a silver in the S6 100m freestyle, and bronze in the S6 100m freestyle.