Notting Hill dances to Carnival beat

Europe's largest street party got under way yesterday as festivities began in the narrow streets of London's Notting Hill with an estimated 300,000 visitors coming to enjoy the first day of the annual carnival.

Children and adults in elaborate costumes, many decked out with multi-coloured feathers and large wings, paraded along the carnival's three-and-a-half mile route in west London to the sound of whistles, steel drums, and Caribbean music.

"The weather is fantastic, the sounds are great, the colour this year is absolutely phenomenal," Chris Mullard, chairman of the carnival's organising body, told Sky News.

The event, first held in 1964, acquired a reputation for violence and crime in the late 1970s when the festivities were marred by riots but careful policing over recent years has left the carnival largely trouble-free.

Yesterday police said the atmosphere in the carnival area was "good natured" with only a handful of arrests made. By 5 p.m. (1600 GMT) yesterday police said they had arrested 26, mainly for drugs, theft and drinking offences.

"We've taken massive precautions, there are more police here than ever," said Mr Mullard.

"We are quite clear about it, if we see trouble we stamp on it. If there is trouble, the police are under strict instructions from their commanders to deal with it."

Police estimated around 300,000 people had come to the event - the largest numbers for the Carnival's Children's Day since 2002 - although Mr Mullard put the attendance higher, at 500,000.

Scotland Yard said they had arrested more than 90 people ahead of the carnival who they suspected were planning to commit crime or cause trouble at the event.

Extra police will be on duty today, a public holiday, and carnival's busiest day, with up to 40 "static sound systems" blasting out high-decibel beats.

The open-air party will for a second year be accompanied today by a "family friendly" Caribbean Showcase in Hyde Park organised by London Mayor Ken Livingstone.