REVELLERS are celebrating the Notting Hill Carnival with a dazzling splash of colour as the final day gets going.
The streets of West London were heaving with partygoers for the annual event which began in 1966.
The Notting Hill Carnival is led by members of the British West Indian communityAlamy
Costumed participants take part in the Grand Finale of Notting Hill CarnivalAlamy
This woman wore a dazzling pink costume
PAThe Notting Hill Carnival brings a splash of vibrant colour to the streets of West London[/caption]
EPAThe two-day street party attracts around 2 million revellers[/caption]
Ray CollinsThousands of people lined the route in warm conditions, with temperatures reaching 26C[/caption]
GettyAround 7,000 cops each day are on duty at Carnival[/caption]
APThe streets of West London were heaving with colourful partygoers[/caption]
It is one of the largest festival celebrations of its kind in Europe, celebrating Caribbean culture.
The two-day street event attracts around 2 million revellers, musicians and dancers with around 7,000 police officers and staff on duty each day.
Bands and floats representing the Caribbean, African and Brazilian diaspora paraded through west London on Monday as Notting Hill Carnival entered its second day.
Thousands of people lined the route in warm conditions, with temperatures reaching 26C.
Groups included Bajan Raw Licquer, Mahogany, Chocolate Nation, Mas Africa, Vincy Alliance and United Kreyol, which reflect traditions from Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, St Lucia, Grenada, Jamaica, Dominica and Haiti.
Brazilian performers from Paraiso Samba School, Batala and Dende Nation added to the line-up, alongside long-established UK community bands.
Maria James, 34, said: “It feels like a piece of the Caribbean right here in London.”
James Lewis, 41, who travelled from Birmingham, said: “It’s amazing to see so many cultures coming together.”
Earlier in the day, Kensington and Chelsea Council said an estimated 150 tonnes of rubbish was cleared after the first day of festivities.
The council expects 300 tonnes to be collected over the weekend, with 180 staff and 45 vehicles working overnight.
The clean-up will continue on Monday night to prepare the area for normal business on Tuesday morning.
Festival chairman Ian Comfort told the crowd on Sunday he was pleased the carnival was happening after its future was in jeopardy because of funding challenges earlier this year.
And the mayor of Kensington and Chelsea, Tom Bennett, welcomed “friends” from across the Caribbean and said: “It’s one of the greatest street parties in the world… celebrating today Caribbean culture from dancing, music, costumes but also everything the Caribbean community has done in this borough and country.”
PADancers performing during the Notting Hill Carnival[/caption]
EPAThis lady couldn’t fail to get noticed in this eye-dazzling costume[/caption]
APNotting Hill Carnival is Europe’s largest street party[/caption]
Ray CollinsRevellers get the party going with some spectacular outfits[/caption]
PADancers performing during the Notting Hill Carnival celebration in west London over the Summer Bank Holiday weekend[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
