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The Notting Hill Carnival has been cancelled for the second year running because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The organisers said, “safety has to come first”.

The carnival was forced to close last year for the first time in its 54-year-old history.

Notting Hill Carnival Ltd said: “This has been an incredibly difficult decision to make.

“Everyone involved in the event desperately wants a return to the road where carnival belongs, but safety has to come first and with the latest cautious announcement on the Government’s road map, this is the only way to ensure that.

“In making this decision, we have considered our responsibilities to deliver a safe, spectacular, successful and sustainable carnival.

“The conclusion is that with so much uncertainty, with time short for carnivalists to prepare and the risk of eventual cancellation a real possibility, we must refocus our efforts for 2021.”