The theme for this year's carnival is "peace on the streets"

They were on the streets to enjoy the giant carnival of dancers, bands and floats as well as scores of static events.

The main attraction was the renowned procession with performers dressed in lavish costumes following floats decked in bright colours along the three-mile route.

Music was provided by up to 15 steel bands, almost 80 other musical groups and 45 sound systems.

Grey skies may have contributed to the crowd numbers being down on last year.

One steward said: "It is a lot better this year. I don't know if it is because there are fewer people or if it is just better organised."

Carnival organiser Debi Gardner hailed the event as a success.

She said: "People have come here and had a really good time - there has been a very relaxed atmosphere.

"I have no idea why there are fewer people here this year - carnival success is not dependent on the number of people who come, it depends on people enjoying themselves and having a good time."

About 10,000 police were at the carnival

Westminster Council's cabinet member for community protection, Alan Bradley, who was judging the floats, said the event was running smoothly.

"It doesn't look like today is going to be as big as last year but that isn't dampening anyone's spirits," he said.

"Everyone is having a good time and it looks as if the carnival is running very much to plan," he added.

Almost 10,000 police at a cost of �5 million were also at the festival - with 111 arrests being made in total so far.

However, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Trotter, from the Metropolitan Police, said only a small minority of carnival-goers wanted to cause trouble.

He said: "As part of our operation we picked up a particular crew who were coming armed with knives, hammers and knuckle-dusters."

"Good-humoured"

Police also said 49 people needed medical treatment and 33 people, including two injured officers, have been taken to hospital. None of the injuries is serious.

On Sunday, 150,000 people came to the carnival - 40% fewer than on last year's opening day.

Scotland Yard said the crowds were "positive and good-humoured".

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There were 91 arrests on Sunday and a 40-year-old man was also taken to a central London hospital for a suspected stab wound to his arm.

But that did not stop youngsters parading their costumes and playing the steel pans as part of Children's Day.

They danced and sang along the parade route, which were lined with hundreds of stalls with a Caribbean theme.

Lucy Saunders, 29, and Martin Boulton, 28, had come up from Gloucestershire to their first carnival, and got prime seats at their friend Nick Miller's flat on Ladbroke Grove.

"I love the imagination behind some of the costumes and just watching everybody integrating into the crowd and everyone dancing," said Ms Saunders.

Jacqueline Laird, who is in her early 40s, said she had been coming with her friend Margaret Blair since 1998.

"It is just about enjoying the celebration," she said.

As with previous years, a number of enterprising people have been cashing in on the event.

10,000 patties

The are numerous signs on residents' walls offering the use of toilets for �1 or drinks and alcohol being sold from doorsteps.

Burgers are even being sold from a clamped van.

Angela Foster who runs the Yum Yum Caribbean take away on Ladbroke Grove said they have made and frozen 10,000 patties, all of which are expected to be sold.

She said: "It's really busy. But it's great when you have all different nationalities trying the food for the first time."