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| Carnival ready to get under way | Carnival ready to get under way |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Notting Hill Carnival, Europe's biggest street party which showcases Caribbean culture, is poised to take over the streets of west London. | Notting Hill Carnival, Europe's biggest street party which showcases Caribbean culture, is poised to take over the streets of west London. |
| More than 750,000 people are expected during the two-day event, which begins with a children's parade later. | More than 750,000 people are expected during the two-day event, which begins with a children's parade later. |
| The 44th carnival's theme, Welcoming the World, is in keeping with the Olympic handover ceremony in Beijing. | The 44th carnival's theme, Welcoming the World, is in keeping with the Olympic handover ceremony in Beijing. |
| Police have installed metal detectors on the three-mile route to try to stop the carrying of guns and knives. | Police have installed metal detectors on the three-mile route to try to stop the carrying of guns and knives. |
| Click here to see the Notting Hill Carnival route | |
| Officers will also be on the lookout for dangerous dogs after concerns were raised by organisers last year. | Officers will also be on the lookout for dangerous dogs after concerns were raised by organisers last year. |
| Giant screen | Giant screen |
| About 64 masquerade, or Mas, bands and 38 sound systems will reverberate at the event throughout the Bank Holiday weekend. | About 64 masquerade, or Mas, bands and 38 sound systems will reverberate at the event throughout the Bank Holiday weekend. |
| The carnival procession passes through Westbourne Grove, Chepstow Avenue, Great Western Road, Kensal Road and Ladbroke Grove, all of which have been closed to traffic since Saturday. | The carnival procession passes through Westbourne Grove, Chepstow Avenue, Great Western Road, Kensal Road and Ladbroke Grove, all of which have been closed to traffic since Saturday. |
| Buses in these areas will be diverted and Tube stations at Holland Park, Ladbroke Grove, Latimer Road, Notting Hill Gate, Royal Oak and Westbourne Park will have restrictions in place to control the crowd. | Buses in these areas will be diverted and Tube stations at Holland Park, Ladbroke Grove, Latimer Road, Notting Hill Gate, Royal Oak and Westbourne Park will have restrictions in place to control the crowd. |
| As the first day of the parade coincides with the official handover of the Olympic Games from Beijing to London, a giant screen has been installed at Pleasance Park, near Ladbroke Grove, so that revellers can watch the events from Trafalgar Square. | As the first day of the parade coincides with the official handover of the Olympic Games from Beijing to London, a giant screen has been installed at Pleasance Park, near Ladbroke Grove, so that revellers can watch the events from Trafalgar Square. |
| This year the Metropolitan Police have spent £6m to tighten security along the route. | This year the Metropolitan Police have spent £6m to tighten security along the route. |
| They have also sent 200 letters to people who might consider committing crime at the carnival warning them to stay away. | |
| Last year several people were stabbed at night after the carnival and there were two shootings, including one where a boy aged 14 was shot in the leg. | |
| Deputy Assistant Commissioner Chris Allison said: "I would love to have a carnival where there is no crime at all. Are we going to achieve it? We will do our best." | Deputy Assistant Commissioner Chris Allison said: "I would love to have a carnival where there is no crime at all. Are we going to achieve it? We will do our best." |
| London Notting Hill Carnival Limited, the event's organiser, said the carnival would add close to £100m to the city's economy. | London Notting Hill Carnival Limited, the event's organiser, said the carnival would add close to £100m to the city's economy. |
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| Click here to return | |
| Are you going to Carnival? Are you taking part in the parade? What is your experience of Europe's biggest street party? Tell us your thoughts by filling in the form below. | Are you going to Carnival? Are you taking part in the parade? What is your experience of Europe's biggest street party? Tell us your thoughts by filling in the form below. |
| You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100. | |
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| Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |