Celebration of carnival organiser's life

His woven coffin was adorned with red and white carnations along with black lilies, and was carried into the church accompanied by the steel band playing 'When the Saints Go Marching in.'

A friend of the family, stood outside as the coffin was taken in, said: "The family wanted to say goodbye to him in a similar way that he lived his life.

"It seemed appropriate that we should have a steel band, as everyone associated him with carnival, and for us all to enjoy the day in a way. It's a celebration, not a sad day."

And there was hardly a sad face outside the church, with guests enjoying the sunshine and the music.

Inside the church, there were more steel band performances as well as hymns and readings by Selwyn's brother, Neville, and son, Wyn.

The service concluded with a rousing version of Amazing Grace, before everybody filed off for a memorial at the Tabernacle pub in Powis Square.

Selwyn Baptiste was born in Trinidad, and after moving to the UK in 1960, is widely credited for first bringing steel bands to the streets of West London for the first time.

He helped establish what is now the biggest street festival in Europe, serving as chairman of the Notting Hill Carnival organising committee, and helping set up the children's carnival, which is traditionally held at the beginning of the three day event.

Alex Pascall, chairman of the Carnival and Arts Committee which was responsible for the event in the mid to late 1980s paid tribute to Mr Baptiste, and said: "He put his heart and souls into educating children, often using the steel band which was so much a part of him.

"He was a deeply cultural person and very interested in supporting young people. It is a great loss to the community."

Mr Baptiste had been suffering from cancer in the months leading up to his death.