Revellers packed London streets on Sunday for one of Europe's biggest street parties - the Notting Hill Carnival. The annual two-day celebration of Caribbean culture that usually draws about 1 million people, got under way in a relaxed atmosphere in West London.

A performer takes part in the Notting Hill Carnival children's day in west London. London's police were out in force as the Notting Hill Carnival got under way Sunday in a bid to stop Europe's biggest street festival descending into a repeat of this month's devastating riots. [CNTV]

On the opening "children's day", crowds lined the streets to watch a procession of trucks carrying children with painted faces, wearing flamboyant costumes and multi-colored wigs, some waving Jamaican flags or blowing whistles.

Children played steel drums and loudspeakers pounded out reggae, African or Samba music as partiers sampled dishes such as jerk chicken or curried mutton.

The festival carries more than usual significance this year because it's the biggest event in London since riots flared in the capital on August 6th, spreading to other major English cities.

The police kept a relatively low profile, patrolling in pairs or on bicycles, but thousands of officers are available in case of trouble. Police say 5,500 officers will be on duty on Sunday and 6,500 on the Monday, a public holiday, when the main parade takes place -- an increase of 500 per day compared to previous years.

The carnival takes place in the fashionable, and in places affluent, area of west London portrayed in the film "Notting Hill", starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts.

In the past, the event has been marred by shootings, stabbings, drug-dealing and high numbers of arrests, although it has been largely peaceful in recent years.

Inspired by Trinidad's carnival, the Notting Hill event was first held in London in 1964 and has grown into one of the world's biggest, generating tens of millions of pounds for London's economy.