The music sound systems which have become one of the main attractions of the Notting Hill Carnival have started to protest at what they see as increasingly onerous conditions and regulations imposed for the event.

Writing in the Guardian on Friday, DJ Joey Jay said that operating his Good Times sound system had become "very difficult".

"The basic freedom to dance, listen to music and enjoy ourselves is now under threat," he wrote.

Jay has run the Good Times system since 1980 with his brother Norman - recently made an MBE.

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At the time, he says, setting up was simple: "We set up at 37 Cambridge Gardens and returned there for the next eight years.

"We gave the occupants �10 for the electricity."

But now, Joey Jay believes that increasing regulation may be hiding an attempt to "downscale carnival".

'Costs'

"Health and safety at the carnival has been tightened up to such an extent that the number of the laws we now have to abide by is making it very difficult for us," he told the Guardian.

"Playing the carnival was never about making money, but we can't afford to lose money either.

"You have to get sponsorship or you're doomed, and once sponsors get involved, they want to dictate what you do."

DJ John Armstrong, who is behind the Latin Rave system, told BBC News Online that life for sound systems had become more difficult.

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Increasing regulation from the local authority and health and safety agencies has coincided with moves from the new leadership of the Notting Hill Carnival Trust to limit the role of sound systems and re-establish a more Trinidadian flavour, he said.

"There are all kinds of complications to deal with," said Mr Armstrong.

But he said that the sound systems were an essential part of what made the Notting Hill special.

"Notting Hill is different from other carnivals in Trinidad and Rio.

"The nearest is probably Salvador in Brazil, where they also have sound systems in the street."

'Restrictions'

But the problems with running Good Times mean that after this carnival Mr Jay will be leaving the system in the capable hands of his brother Norman and going abroad, he says.

"So where will I go? Ghana. There are no noise restrictions. You can play for five days straight if you want. Ghanaians see sound systems as entertainment, a public service."

There is full coverage of the Notting Hill Carnival on BBC London 94.9FM.

Good Times will be at the junction of West Row and Southern Row, London W11 on Monday 26 August. The Latin Rave will be opposite 335 Portobello Road.