Notting Hill Carnival draws crowds

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Hundreds of thousands of revellers ignore economic woes and cloudy weather to attend the opening day of Europe's biggest street carnival on Sunday the Notting Hill Carnival.

Scores of elaborately dressed masquerade artists in larger than life costumes joined steelpan bands to perform along the 3-and-a-half mile route in west London.

Security was tight as up to 1-and-a-half million visitors were expected to watch thousands of artists perform over the two-day August bank holiday.

Hundreds of exotic food-and-drink stalls allowed partyers to sample a variety of tastes from around the globe including the Caribbean, Nigeria, Thailand, and China.

Reggae veteran artist, Levi Roots, greeted fans and asked them to enjoy the occasion.

Levi Roots, Reggae artist, said, "Today is the day to take the jacket of inabitations (inhibitions). To take the war jacket, to take of the helmet, to take the frustration, whatever coat you have on. Today is the day to take it out and to be completed 'frassed', 'frassed' like we say in Jamaica, 'frassed' meaning chill out. And just enjoy the food, enjoy the music. It is carnival man, is brilliant."

Almost 40 sound systems set up along the route offered up their own selection of music to entertain the crowds. An attentive ear could hear everything from traditional soca or calypso, to modern reggae, hip-hop, jazz, soul, or garage band grunge.

The Notting Hill Carnival was established in 1964 and covers a route around west London, taking in Westbourne Grove, Ladbroke Grove, and Kensal Road.