Rio Carnival begins as scantily clad revellers parade across Brazil

Rio Carnival has begun in earnest, with scantily-clad glitter-covered partygoers taking to the streets to parade through cities across Brazil. The annual five-day festival, which began on Friday and will last until Tuesday, marks a last gasp of excess for the Catholic country before Lent starts on Ash Wednesday. It is world famous for its raucous street parties and colourful displays, with musicians, percussionists and stilt artists drawing thousands out into the south American sun.