Freya Scott-Turner
Live reporter

Image source, LINETT KAMALA

"For me, it was natural to just say 'why can’t a girl DJ?'," recalls Linett Kamala, who was one of the first female sound system DJs at Notting Hill Carnival, spinning records for the first time there back in 1985, aged 15.

Frustrated by the lack of representation at Carnival, she approached a friend's brother who was in his own sound system crew - these are DJs and technicians behind the enormous speaker stacks that blast music.

Linett spent a year practicing the techniques before her first Carnival gig, she says.

"I smashed it, I was proper happy... I grew in confidence in that exact moment."

Though there's been progress for female selectors, there's "lots more to do" in getting them the recognition they deserve, says Kamala, who is building up a network of female DJs from around the world.

She is also on the Carnival's board, and can be found this year in a brand new "chill spot" for learning more about Carnival culture. Kamala's set it up on St Stephens Gardens - called the "LIN KAM ART chill spot", named after the foundation she runs.

We have seen plenty of glitter and sparkle on show during Notting Hill Carnival, as people showcase their elaborate outfits.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Lizzy Bella
BBC Newsbeat

Three women making their mark on celebrations this year are Saffiya, Tyra and Amondine.

They've been telling BBC Newsbeat about making their own costumes so they can join the mas bands, an idea which has also helped them save money.

Image source, Tyra

Tyra says she looks forward to seeing how people express themselves.

"It’s really interesting to see what people wear," says the 24-year-old, adding "people don’t wear that anywhere else, it’s always representative of your culture."

Image source, Saffiya

Meanwhile Saffiya says she is "living for Carnival".

"There’s hardly any Soca events in the UK, and I am a massive Soca fan, so that’s what I’m most looking forward to," she says, referring to the high-energy Caribbean genre.

Image source, Amondine

For Amondine, Carnival is all about coming together.

"People who aren’t from the Caribbean culture also come to celebrate. It’s a nice way to get everyone together," she says.

"It’s just so lovely that 60 years on, the community still lives."

It's all smiles at Notting Hill Carnival as a range of revellers pose in their unique and extravagant outfits throughout the festival.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, PA Media

Gem O'Reilly
Reporting from Notting Hill

I stopped by a glitter tent to chat to two women bedazzling each other. They told me about why it's a key part of Carnival.

Tashma says "glitter just brings out the whole vibe and adds the cherry on top".

Her mum is from Barbados and her dad is Jamaican, and she says "people forget that costumes originated from our culture".

"It's not just putting on glitter - it brings everything to life," she says.

Meanwhile Patricia is wearing an outfit inspired by ancestral traditions of the Yoruba tribe, designed by Alan Vaughan.

She says "it's important to carry the ancestral presence".

"If they didn't come before me, I couldn't do this so I'm paying tribute to them."

Nadia Jae and Seani B from Radio 1Xtra are at Notting Hill Carnival today, soaking in the sights and sounds of Europe's largest street festival.

You can listen live at the top of this page.

Amy Clarke and Barry Caffrey
BBC London

Image source, PA Media

One of the founders of Notting Hill Carnival was Vernon Williams, who moved to Britain from Trinidad and Tobago in the 1960s.

Sixty years on, his widow Allyson Williams remains at the heart of the event, having been involved for the past 45 years.

She feels the carnival is a "teaching tool" that helps younger generations understand the history of Notting Hill and the Windrush generation.

"We have to continue with the education of the children in terms of acknowledging their ancestors as well."

Image source, PA Media

Meanwhile, Gladwin Wright, known as Gladdy Wax and one of the UK's longest-running sound system operators, has been involved with Carnival for almost 40 years.

For him, the event's enduring appeal is its ability to bring people together.

"Music itself brings people together, but Carnival certainly brings them together for more reasons than one and it's not about animosity, it brings them together in a loving way, harmonious way."

The sun is shining in west London - for now - and Carnival attendees are dazzling with colourful and eye-catching outfits.

Some of the latest pictures show sequins, feathers and bejewelled head pieces.

Image source, PA Media

Image source, Reuters

Image source, PA

Nora Fakim
Reporting from Notting Hill

Sophie, Rachel and Sara have flown in from the Netherlands to take part in the long-running Mangrove Mas Parade at Notting Hill Carnival.

"We took part in the parade in Rotterdam, but now we’re ready for the real one," Sophie says.

For Rachel, Carnival is all about "the energy, the colours, the music".

"And, most importantly, the cohesion of all the vibes and cultures coming together," she says.

Gem O'Reilly
Reporting from Notting Hill

Lorraine has been setting up for the day, alongside lots of other people dropping off street food.

She describes it as "really hard work but lots of fun", adding with it being the 60th year, "we are really excited to welcome everyone".

"Ackee and saltfish is my favourite dish, I could eat it for breakfast lunch and dinner."

Lorraine adds for her, carnival is about the culture and costume, with people from all backgrounds choosing to "all come together, it's amazing".

"We want all the traders to do well today and we look forward to feeding everyone."

The sound of drums are a historic feature of Carnival.

Festival-goers have started driving the energy of today's parade with the beat of the drums.

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Image source, Reuters

Manish Pandey
Live editor

Image source, Suzanne Eastman

Born and raised in London, Suzanne Eastman is a seasoned carnival attendee - going since she was a kid.

Her heritage is half Trinidadian and half English, and she describes the event as being a "really positive space" which helps her connect to her identity.

For those of you experiencing what is normally the busiest Carnival day for the first time, she has these top tips:

• Stay with a group and go with the flow: Try not to plan too much because you never know what you're going to run into
• Download the route in advance: Signal can get a bit patchy depending on how busy it is, so make sure you know where you're going at all times
• Wear comfy shoes: You'll be doing lots of walking (I've even hit 30,000 steps on a Carnival day before). And the colourful nature of Carnival extends to paint - so wear something you don't mind getting ruined
• Bring cash: Not everywhere will take card. And in previous years, people have opened up their houses so festival-goers can use their bathrooms - for a small fee

Helen Willetts
Lead weather presenter

After the overnight deluge, the day has started on a drier and sunnier note. However, it's worth keeping an eye out for a few showers through the afternoon.

This morning started mostly dry across west London, with sunny spells and patchy cloud. It was also a mild start for the last day of August at 14C in the capital. Temperatures will rise steadily reaching 22-23C, which should feel pleasantly warm rather than hot.

By the afternoon, scattered showers are expected to develop across parts of southern England, including Greater London. Perhaps not everyone will catch one but there is still the chance of a thundery downpour, so you may want to keep a light waterproof handy if you're spending long periods outdoors.

As ever with sunshine and showers, there will still be some dry and sunny spells in between, so it's also worth remembering that the sun remains strong in late August.

It will be noticeably breezy and gusty. Showers should gradually fade through the evening, leaving dry conditions for most after dark.

Andrew Rogers
BBC Newsbeat

As we mentioned in our previous post, "mas" bands are a trademark feature of Carnival.

BBC Radio 1Xtra DJ Nadia Jae is celebrating 60 years of Notting Hill Carnival by joining one of the costumed masquerade bands parading through the streets.

The groups, which can have hundreds of members, are judged in a competition for the best costumes and choreography.

Nadia tells BBC Newsbeat her costume is an "explosion of colour" - bright blue, orange, pink - in honour of this year's Indian Ocean theme.

Playing mas is a "beautiful, cultural, collaborative" tradition, she says, adding that it involves months of planning and high levels of secrecy from the organisers of each group.

"I didn't know what my outfit looked like literally until this week," she says.

Nadia compares the time and effort masquerade band organisers put into the carnival to running a marathon.

"It's like getting to the end and waving your flag and you're like: 'Yeah we finally did it'," she says.

Lizzy Bella
BBC Newsbeat

Image source, PA Media

Colourful, costumed masquerade - or "mas" - bands are a trademark feature of Notting Hill Carnival.

Each year, bands will pick a theme for their members' costumes, and with some containing hundreds of people, the process can start almost a year before the big week.

But there is a deeper meaning to the "visual spectacle" according to Kayleigh Benoit, a lecturer at London College of Fashion.

Benoit tells BBC Newsbeat the concept of masquerade, or "playing mas" is about performance, joy and collective identity, and not just costumes - even if those do play a big role in the vibrant parades over the weekend.

She says the tradition is central to Caribbean carnival culture, and gave those coming to the UK 60 years ago as part of the Windrush generation a "feeling of home" at a "challenging time".

"It has evolved over time," says Benoit.

"But what has never changed is the level of colour and the level of joy. It's meant to be big. It's meant to be avant-garde. It's masquerade."

Thousands of partygoers have gotten ready and taken to the streets in Notting Hill this morning as the third and final day of Carnival has begun.

We'll bring you pictures from the event throughout the day - here are some that were taken this morning:

Image source, EPA

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Nora Fakim
Reporting from Notting Hill

Local businesses and food traders are setting up across the area for today’s celebrations.

For Carol, owner of a Caribbean fusion stall called Eldras Kitchen, this is her second year at Carnival. She tells me she's happy to be part of the event and looking forward to another busy day.

At Crimson Light Kitchen, mother and daughter team Natasha and Shaquelle are preparing for their fourth year. They describe Carnival as "bustling and fun", but say competition has increased.

They are also hoping network coverage holds up during the busiest periods after connectivity issues affected trading when crowds were at their highest last year.

And they want today to be even busier than yesterday.

"It’s the 60th anniversary so I’m hoping more visitors will be coming and that business will be booming more than ever," says Shaquelle.

Gem O'Reilly
Reporting from Notting Hill

I've been here at the opening of Carnival since 06:30 BST. All the stalls are setting up and people are starting to arrive.

But one woman caught my eye dressed head to toe in full green and black - for Jamaican colours. She had glitter on her face and was beaming from ear to ear.

She said she wanted to get a prime spot for the parade.

When I asked her about her outfit Lizzy told me "it's to represent Carnival". Pointing to her elaborate nail colours in green and blue, she added "one hand is Jamaica and one is Montserrat".

"I'm in the middle of the reggae and soul today in my pushchair. We've been getting old with Notting Hill carnival," she said, explaining that Carnival is part of her heritage and upbringing and she can't wait to celebrate its 60 years.

"I feel it is accessible, provided you come down early and get a spot on the side, so you don't get crushed."

Yesterday was family day at Carnival, with young masqueraders, dancers and community groups filling the streets of west London.

The Children's Day Parade saw performers in elaborate costumes make their way along the route as the event celebrates its 60th anniversary.

Here are some pictures from the celebrations.

Image source, EPA

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

The Metropolitan Police has said 169 arrests were made at Notting Hill Carnival on Sunday, for offences including possession of drugs, assaults, sexual offences and possession of weapons.

In a statement, the force said it responded to a number of incidents "as would be anticipated at an event of this scale" but that the "mood has been overwhelmingly positive and celebratory".

Last week, it said more than 7,000 officers would be deployed to west London for carnival weekend.