Painting the town! Notting Hill Carnival gets off to messy start as revellers hurl oil and paint at each other - as police use new face-spotting computer system to try and keep thugs away

Early morning partygoers have taken to the streets of Notting Hill to throw paint, mud, chocolate or powder at each other while dancing to live music in the carnival's J'ouvert street parade (left). 


Some carried paint guns (top right) while others wore fancy dress (bottom right) or simply were covered in paint (bottom left) or oil (top left). Known as the J'ouvert celebration - derived from the French term Jour ouvert, meaning 'opening of the day' - is a traditional procession that still takes place in countries such as Trinidad & Tobago.