Pinky and perky... mobbed Notting Hill dances to carnival beat on Children’s Day

West London was taken over by Europe’s biggest street festival yesterday, with dancers and musicians parading through the streets joined by crowds of visitors.

More than one million people are expected to attend the Caribbean celebration which ends today.

Yesterday was aimed at families but warm weather drew larger crowds than expected, while rain is predicted for today.

Some 6,000 police officers are attending the event, which is one of the largest operations in the Metropolitan Police force’s calendar.

Chief Superintendent Robyn Williams said the force’s priority is to “facilitate a safe and vibrant carnival”.

She said: “Carnival very much presents us with two extremes: those who want to enjoy the sound systems, cuisine and have a good time and those who use it as an opportunity to commit crime.”

Yesterday was Children’s Day, with family-friendly floats weaving their way from Westbourne Park Underground station to Ladbroke Grove.

However, the thumping bass of the sound systems was as loud as ever. Organisers said this year marks the first milestone in the build-up to the event’s 50th anniversary in 2016.

Police officers had no choice but to get into the carnival spirit after getting covered in chocolate by the crowd.

A number of business owners and residents have boarded up their properties on the carnival route in a bid to avoid damage. A gang crime crackdown in the run-up to the party saw 157 arrests.