'Peace and love still reign': carnival's message of unity

Thousands of have gathered on the streets of London draped in flags and decked in jewels to celebrate the annual Notting Hill carnival, with some describing the festival as a "big statement" on cultural diversity.

- Neha Gohil, Lanre Bakare

One million people are expected to attend the carnival, which marks the 56th year it has been running. The celebration of Caribbean heritage, arts and culture is one of the biggest and longest-running carnivals in the world.

Yesterday the streets in Notting Hill were lined with hundreds of food stalls and bars, with smoke from barbecues and grills filling the air and the sound of soca beats, calypso and steel bands.

Ras Sherby, who has been attending the carnival for more than 20 years - and has set up a sound system blasting reggae and dub music-described the festival as the "engine that carries people together every year".

"It's one big ball of happiness, one big day of fun," Sherby, 47, said. "Every country's here and from a cultural point of view, we get to showcase our culture for what it really is."