Tens of thousands of people gathered in New Orleans today for the climax of the first Mardi Gras festival since Hurricane Katrina struck the US city six months ago.
The mayor of the city, Ray Nagin, said the carnival was a chance for the city to lift its spirits.
However, some residents say the celebrations are inappropriate as some of the poorer areas of the city are still largely in ruins.
More than 1,300 people were killed and around 75% of New Orleans was flooded when Hurricane Katrina struck on 29 August last year.
