Notting Hill Carnival's 'Legendary' Co-Founder Sam King Dies

Tributes have poured in for the man behind the annual Notting Hill Carnival after he died at the age of 90.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn described Sam King MBE, who co-founded Europe’s biggest street party in 1964, as a “legend”.

Mr Corbyn said Mr King, who was elected as Southwark’s first black mayor in 1983, had “changed the face of London for the better” after he sailed to Britain on the Empire Windrush as a Jamaican immigrant.

He said: "He was man who arrived on the Windrush and started working like many Jamaicans did in the area and then decided something had to be done for the community in terms of carnival.

Community: The Notting Hill Carnival is Europe’s biggest street party (Rex)

"What a legend, what a loss.

"He educated Londoners with Caribbean food, Caribbean culture, Caribbean music.

"London is a better place, Britain is a better place thanks to him and his family.”

Harriet Harman, Labour MP for Camberwell and Peckham, tweeted: "RIP Sam King MBE. Wonderful man. Today Southwark mourns - but Southwark is proud.”

Southwark Councillor Michael Situ added that the Second World War veteran was "principled, inspiring and always willing to serve”.

Top pic: PA