Notting Hill Carnival atmosphere 'uplifting and warming'

Performers parade on Monday for day two of the carnival

PA Media Performers at the Notting Hill Carnival in London, — Performers parade on Monday for day two of the carnival

Carnival goers returned to the streets of west London for the first Notting Hill Carnival since 2019.

The main adult parade takes place on Monday with performers and bands entertaining the crowds.

Millions are expected to attend the two-day event in west London, which has had a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

One reveller described the atmosphere as "uplifting and warming".

Day two of a 48-hour bus strike in parts of west London could affect those attending the event.

The Metropolitan Police said 76 people had been arrested by 07:00 BST on Monday, and a police horse had collapsed and died while on duty.

Sunday is traditionally 'family day' with adults and children in bright costumes

PA Media A young girl tries on a carnival goer's costume on the underground during the Notting Hill Carnival in London — Sunday is traditionally 'family day' with adults and children in bright costumes

An estimated two million people are expected to turn out for the carnival's return

PA Media Performers dance down street and take a selfie at notting hill carnival — An estimated two million people are expected to turn out for the carnival's return

Singer Alexandra Burke joined The Utopia Band who wore breast pumps under their costumes as part of the 'Pumps on Parade' campaign to tackle taboos about breastfeeding and pumping in public.

A 72-second silence to honour the 72 victims of the Grenfell Tower fire will be held on Monday at 15:00.

Another was held on Sunday at the same time. The blaze destroyed Grenfell Tower on 14 June 2017, claiming the lives of 72 residents.

Singer Alexandra Burke joined The Utopia Band wearing breast pumps under their costumes to tackle taboos about breastfeeding and pumping in public

PA Media Singer Alexandra Burke joined The Utopia Band who wore breast pumps under their black and gold costumes — Singer Alexandra Burke joined The Utopia Band wearing breast pumps under their costumes to tackle taboos about breastfeeding and pumping in public

The Adults Day parade saw many attendees dressed in colourful, sparkling costumes to match the dancers.

Pam Small, 54, from the US travelled to attend the carnival for nine years before the pandemic and was delighted to be back.

She said: "I love everything about it. The people, the culture, the diversity - it's really special to be here."

Walking in the parade was Rolando Ponde, 34, who said the carnival was "special" because "it introduces people to their roots, to their culture".

"We have our community here in the UK and at carnival we can all come together," he said.

People attending the carnival said it was a "special" event

PA Media Crowds gather for Notting Hill festival — People attending the carnival said it was a "special" event

At the scene

By Harry Low, BBC London

Europe's largest street party is alive and well.

Crowds cluster around the calypso band as one street away reggae has revellers in raptures.

Turn the corner and the rum punch stalls are doing a roaring trade.

The smell of smoke fills the air as another jerk chicken thigh is tossed onto the barbecue.

A woman dances on her doorstep while her neighbour DJs from her balcony.

Some entrepreneurial residents have opened their homes up - or rather their toilets. It's £3 to spend a penny in W11 this weekend - or £5 if you wish to jump the queue.

And not everyone is enjoying the festivities.

I spoke to one supermarket delivery driver who described it as "horrendous".

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The London Ambulance Service also helped a woman who gave birth while the festival was underway on Sunday.

A spokesperson for the service said: "We were called at 18.45 to reports of a person in labour within the footprint of Notting Hill Carnival.

"We treated an adult and baby at the scene and took them to hospital as a priority."

London mayor Sadiq Khan said: "As a Londoner I'm really pleased Carnival is back."

He added that he thought it would be the "biggest and best ever" and praised the local council and organisers for working with residents to minimise disruption to people living in the area.

Shauna Walsh, 38, who lives in Kensal Rise, said: "The atmosphere has been really uplifting and warming - it is nice to be back."

As huge crowds gathered on day one, two people suffered minor injuries when a bus shelter collapsed in the Ladbroke Grove area.

Performers are back for the Notting Hill Carnival for the first time since before the pandemic

PA Media Performers at the Notting Hill Carnival — Performers are back for the Notting Hill Carnival for the first time since before the pandemic

An array of colourful costumes have been on display for the carnival's adult parade

PA Media Performers on Monday's adult parade at Notting Hill carnival — An array of colourful costumes have been on display for the carnival's adult parade

Offences people were arrested on suspicion of included assaults, drug possession, criminal damage and sexual assault, the Met said.

A police horse also collapsed and died at 21:00 on Sunday but the Met said that it was too early to determine a cause of death and an investigation will take place.