Spectacular costumes shimmered in the sunlight as crowds shimmied to the beats at the Notting Hill Carnival on day two.

After a damp opening day, the sun came out to play on the bank holiday Monday (August 29), to the delight of revellers thronging the streets of west London.

Among those feeling the heat was a policeman who found himself thrust into the spotlight when two women began grinding up against him.

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It was a refreshing twist on the clichéd image of an awkwardly swaying copper, and he took it in good humour, comically mopping his brow to suggest he was getting hot under the collar.

Amy Avent, who was reporting from the carnival for getwestlondon , joined the crowds soaking up the sights and sounds outside Kensington Temple.

"The streets were packed and the atmosphere was electric," she said.

Even the dogs were getting in the carnival spirit, with one pooch sporting a party hat, although he looked less than amused by proceedings.

A dog does his best to get into the carnival spirit

The opening day of the festival was marred by violence, with five people stabbed and more than 100 arrests, and there had already been 50 further arrests by 2pm on day two.

Police also seized laughing gas worth £2,000 and a wheelie bin full of lager which was being sold illegally.

But the vast majority of the tens of thousands who attended over the weekend were able to enjoy the celebrations peacefully.