HAMPSHIRE sailor Ben Ainslie has been chosen as Team GB's flagbearer for the  Olympic closing ceremony.

The Lymington-based 35-year-old became the most successful sailor in Olympic history during the London 2012 Games, when he took gold in the Finn class.

The contest at Weymouth and Portland saw him earn an Olympic medal at his fifth successive Olympics, with the last four being gold.

The British Olympic Association has today revealed Ben will carry the Union flag during tomorrow's closing ceremony in the Olympic Stadium.

The artistic director, Kim Gavin, has promised the show will be "the best after-show party of all time".

George Michael, the Spice Girls and Tinie Tempah are reportedly amongst the stars who will perform at the ceremony, which starts at 9pm and will run for two-and-three-quarter hours.

Mr Gavin said the event, which will feature 3,500 performers, would be a celebration of British creativity.