Boards go up as residents try to protect their property

Some families living in Notting Hill were today planning to leave London for the weekend or barricade their homes while the Carnival takes place. Residents on the route said they were spending up to £2,000 putting up boards to stop revellers causing damage to their property.

Artist Jessie Parsons, 25, who is living at her aunt's house, is staying in the area to ensure no damage is done. Barricades are also being put up outside the house.

She said: "I am here to guard the house over the weekend, they are going to put boards up. The door here is old and precious and they don't want it to get broken."

Alyssa Milton, a 28-year-old PhD student from Australia, said: "There is no harm whatsoever in being cautious. You can only hope for the best in human nature and that there is good behaviour."

At one property on the corner of Ladbroke Grove, belonging to Sally Greene, the chief executive of Old Vic Productions, workmen were busy this morning putting up barricades costing £2,000.