By Chirag Trivedi BBC News Online, London

Has the carnival lost its appeal?

About 1.2 million people partied on the streets of west London in 2001, there were more than 1.4 million in 2002, but in 2003 the figure struggled to reach 600,000.

This year also saw the formation of Notting Hill Carnival Ltd (NHCL), the company which organised the event.

Many saw it as the first step towards exploiting the money-making potential of one of Europe's biggest street parties.

This was reinforced by a London Development Agency (LDA) report which said the event contributed �93m to the city's economy and could be more profitable with carnival mugs, books, CDs and T-shirts making the most out of the 'brand'.

But the falling attendance figures could scupper any such plans.

FALLING ATTENDANCE 2003: 600,000 2002: 1.4m 2001: 1.25m 2000: 1.5m 1999: 1.4m 1998: 1.15m 1997: 1.3m 1996: 1m

Was this just a blip or are we suffering carnival fatigue?

This year carnival had good weather which would normally boost numbers but delays on a number of rail routes into London over the Bank Holiday weekend could have had an impact.

Some have suggested that the high-profile policing of the event could have been to blame.

Scotland Yard said 9,715 officers were at the event, with one officer standing every 50 feet (15 metres) along the three-mile (4.83 kilometre) procession route, at a cost of �5m.

But Debi Gardener, of NHCL, said: "There does not seem to be any particular reason for the low attendance.

"Although there were lots of officers around it's not the same sort of intrusive policing as last year.

I joined the crowd and my feet never touched the ground Clare Tenner

"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."

But the most popular theory on falling attendance may be that it is a victim of its own success.

In past years the huge number of people attending the event has resulted in what people have called 'carnival crush'.

Many complained that the narrow streets of Notting Hill were unsuited to a party for up to one million people.

Clare Tenner, 30, from Croydon, south London, went three years ago and said she found the experience "horrible".

Route problem

"I went because of the reputation but I will never go back.

"I joined the crowd and my feet never touched the ground. I couldn't breathe and I lost everyone I was with."

John Harvey, 27, who lives in Vauxhall, south London, spent several years living in Brazil and has attended carnivals in both Rio and Notting Hill.

"There's just no comparison," he said.

"Rio is huge. But it's not just that. The city has big, wide streets which are just made for a carnival but Notting Hill, like the rest of London, is really cramped.

"The Notting Hill Carnival is great in terms of the music and atmosphere but either you've got to move it or restrict numbers."

'Nothing concrete'

And moving carnival is what London mayor Ken Livingstone has proposed.

He wants to see a linear route - as opposed to the current U-shaped - which will end at Hyde Park.

A spokesman for the mayor said: "This is just one idea looking at how to reduce the density of the carnival and provide easier access.

"There is nothing concrete and all implications for any move will be considered."