The London 2012 Olympics have ended with a spectacular musical closing ceremony and the official handover to the next host city, Rio de Janeiro.

The three-hour show featured some of the biggest names of British pop from decades past, including the Spice Girls, George Michael and Elbow.

The official Games flag was handed to the mayor of Rio before the flame at the Olympic Stadium was extinguished.

As fireworks went off above the east London stadium, the Who performed My Generation and the venue became a sea of red, white and blue confetti.

The finale, which began with Big Ben chiming, paid tribute to UK music, fashion and culture.

Prince Harry represented the Queen at the ceremony, which took place on top of a stage in the shape of a union jack and saw a volunteer cast of 3,500.

The show saw the Spice Girls re-form to sing Spice Up Your Life from the top of five London taxis, and a surprise performance from Take That, who sang their hit Rule the World. 

The USA has topped London Olympics with 46 gold, 29 silver and 29 bronze medals, followed by China with 38 gold, 27 silver and 22 bronze. The third came Britain with 29 gold, 16 silver and 19 bronze.

Armenia is the 60th with 3 medals, one silver and two bronze.