Notting Hill carnival "welcomes the world"

By Peter Griffiths

LONDON (Reuters) - Blowing whistles and dancing in the drizzle, thousands of revellers packed the streets of west London on Sunday for the first day of the Notting Hill carnival, one of Europe's biggest open-air parties.

Organisers said 1.5 million people from around the world were expected to throng to the two-day carnival of colourful processions, thumping sound systems and exotic food stalls.

With London celebrating the Olympic handover from Beijing, the theme of this year's carnival is "Welcoming the World". The crowds followed the closing ceremony in China on a giant 25-metre screen erected in the heart of the carnival.

London Mayor Boris Johnson, who was in Beijing, sent a message of support to the carnival, saying: "Nothing beats the sounds of the steel pans, the aroma of delicious Caribbean food and the dazzling colours of the costume parade."

Hundreds of performers covered in multi-coloured body paint, sequins and feathers danced through the streets to the thunderous sound of soca, reggae and steel bands.

Children in elaborate animal and bird costumes joined the parade on Sunday, traditionally the event's family day.

Forecasters said the sun would poke through the clouds at the carnival, which takes place in the area immortalised in the film "Notting Hill", starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts.

The smell of curried goat and spicy jerk chicken cooked on open grills filled the air. Hundreds of street stalls sold food from the Caribbean as well as Nigeria, Thailand and China.