Violence marred the end of the Notting Hill Carnival after two teenagers were wounded in separate shootings last night.

A 14-year-old boy was shot in the leg at 9pm at the junction of Portnall Road and Harrow Road in Maida Vale.

In a second incident near Blenheim Crescent in Notting Hill, police found a boy of 17 bleeding from his shoulder after they heard shots fired at 7.30pm. One arrest has been made.

Earlier last night, at 6.15pm, a man in his 20s was stabbed in Westbourne Park Road.

None of the victims were seriously hurt, officers said.

Police estimated about 600,000 people flocked to yesterday's main parade of the 43rd Notting Hill Carnival as London basked in sunshine after a dreary summer.

But organisers insisted some 1.5 million people had flocked to Notting Hill over the Bank Holiday weekend - roughly the same amount as last year.

"I found it just as congested," said Michael Williams, the carnival director.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Chris Allison, who was in charge of policing the carnival, attributed the violence to a "hardcore" of mainly young men "who came to Carnival not to enjoy the event but to fight, commit crime and cause trouble".

"Unfortunately, we witnessed groups fighting; objects being thrown at police and large groups of youths pushing roughly through crowds.

"Two young men were shot, fortunately not seriously injured, and a small number of people suffered minor stab wounds.

"No one wants to see this unique event being over shadowed by such unacceptable behaviour."

As of midnight, police have made 206 arrests over the two days of the carnival, compared to 214 last year.

About 4,000 officers - many wearing earplugs - have patrolled the streets during the festivities.

Some happily posed for photographs with festival-goers amidst the steel bands, Caribbean food stalls and vibrant costumes.

This year's theme, "set all free", marked 200 years since the abolition of slavery.

Lisa Roberts, 24, a receptionist from Australia, said: "Culturally, this is definitely one of the richest festivals I've ever been to."