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Luton carnival: Thousands line streets to 'showcase' culture

News imageKate Bradbrook/BBC Luton International CarnivalKate Bradbrook/BBC
The carnival claims to be the biggest in the UK, second only to Notting Hill

Thousands of people lined the streets of Luton for the town's 47th carnival.

The Luton International Carnival brought steel band entertainment, arts and crafts and children's storytelling to the town centre.

Fresh from the town's footballing success, about 500 people in vibrant costumes took part in the parade.

The floats were cycled from the start-point in Park Street and ended at the Hat District.

The event, organised by the UK Centre for Carnival Arts, claims to be the biggest one-day carnival in the UK.

News imageAFP Luton International CarnivalAFP
Thousands of people watched the floats being cycled through the town centre

Local Labour councillor Javeria Hussain, who is chairman of the carnival's main sponsor Luton Rising, was leading the parade.

"Luton is a great town, irrespective of what you might read on social media," she said.

"We are out for one another; we are welcoming and this weekend has been phenomenal."

News imageKate Bradbrook/BBC Abdel TchatchetKate Bradbrook/BBC
Abdel Tchatchet said he wanted to show he was "proud" to be a member of the LGBTQ community
News imageKate Bradbrook/BBC Caroline Omego and Emeka UmejiegoKate Bradbrook/BBC
Caroline Omego and Emeka Umejiego said it was an opportunity to showcase Nigerian culture
News imageKate Bradbrook/BBC Luton International CarnivalKate Bradbrook/BBC
The parade route snaked through the town centre, starting in Park Street and ending at the Hat District
News imageKate Bradbrook/BBC Joshua Hudson-Lett at Luton International CarnivalKate Bradbrook/BBC
Joshua Hudson-Lett has been attending and helping at the carnival since he was a child
News imageKate Bradbrook/BBC Xenia ShakespeareKate Bradbrook/BBC
Xenia Shakespeare, from Nottingham, was performing at the carnival
News imageKate Bradbrook/BBC Luton International CarnivalKate Bradbrook/BBC
About 500 people in costume took part in the parade
News imageKate Bradbrook/BBC Luton International CarnivalKate Bradbrook/BBC
The carnival in Luton dates back to 1976
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