With clearing up after the Notting Hill Carnival under way in west London, police say the two-day event was a success.

Over a million people attended what police said was a "year of change" for Europe's biggest street festival.

Changes were made to the route, which is now U-shaped instead of circular to try to avoid the congestion which has previously been a problem on the area's narrow streets.

Scores of dancers and decorated carnival floats took to the streets on Monday and the party continued late into the night.

About 500,000 turned out on Sunday

Andy Trotter, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, said: "Crime was about the same as last year - but given the crowd was twice as big we are pleased."

He added: " We will work through the lessons learnt from this year with our partners and seek to make improvements where necessary in order to make next year's and future years even better."

Revellers headed to the street festival to enjoy the many competing sound systems - playing mainly reggae and ragga but all kinds of other dance music as well.

Police say there were a total of 237 arrests over the two days.

With about 485,000 revellers and 60 floats enjoying fine weather, Sunday's Children's Day saw low levels of crime.

On Monday, the main event drew 850,000 people, and 181 arrests for mostly minor offences.

10,000 police were on duty

Ten thousand police officers were drafted in, with a helicopter and about 80 CCTV cameras watching the route.

Sixty-four masquerade bands, most of whom worked all year on their costumes, competed. Also on display were 35 other floats, two live stages and about 35 static sound systems.

The capital's governing body, the Greater London Authority, is carrying out a review of this year's carnival.

After problems of overcrowding in previous years, there had been plans to make dramatic changes - including turning the carnival into a linear procession from Notting Hill to Piccadilly, central London.

The Notting Hill Carnival Trust said a further 600 stewards had been employed to work with the floats.

Debbie Gardener, one of the trustees, said: "We have worked closely with the Metropolitan Police to ensure the safety of all participants and attendee's at the carnival."

Eleven men the police suspect of planning to cause trouble were put on bail to prevent them going anywhere near Notting Hill.