In pictures: Getting ready for Notting Hill Carnival
- Published
A team of costume makers are busy creating and assembling the brightly coloured and intricate costumes ready for Notting Hill Carnival, which takes place this August Bank Holiday weekend.
The Caribbean event, which takes over the streets of west London, is said to be Europe's biggest street festival.
Costumers from carnival club Elimu have been working 10-12 hours a day, seven days a week, to make 125 costumes.
Despite working for 30 years as a film, television and theatre costume designer, Annie Curtis said it was the first time she had created carnival costumes.
As the club has chosen underwater as one of its themes, the team is busy adding finishing touches such as mermaids, seaweed, angels and sea urchins to costumes.
The costume designs were created in Easter, and the team has spent the last three months making them.
Speaking about Notting Hill Carnival, Ms Curtis said: "It's a wonderful opportunity to reclaim the streets and to let your hair down. It's a fantastic event, which children remember for the rest of their lives. We've got lots of adults taking part this year who have taken part since they were children. It's a great time for the family."