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Thousands attend Chinese New Year celebrations

Andrew Hartley
BBC Look North
BBC Hundreds of people are next to Grey's Monument in Newcastle with an orange dragon held in the air BBC
The Chinese community is marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake

Thousands of people have gathered for celebrations for Chinese New Year, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake.

The festivities in Newcastle city centre featured a parade, traditional performances and cultural displays in a showcase of Chinese heritage.

The local Chinese community puts on the celebrations each year along with Newcastle City Council and NE1 Ltd, which supports the city's businesses.

Organiser Yvonne Ng said: "The turnout is amazing and we like everyone to have fun and understand the culture."

A red horse passes along the street watched by many children as part of a parade to mark the Chinese New Year
Many children took part in the celebrations

"It is everything that would happen in Hong Kong or China, and we are delighted that Newcastle embraces and supports the event," she added.

The main event was a parade from Monument to Stowell Street, Chinatown.

Crowds lined the streets as a golden dragon, accompanied by dancing lions, wove its way through the city.

Crowds surround the ornamental gate which leads to Newcastle's Chinatown. People in elaborate costumes are walking under it .
Organisers said they were delighted to see the event so well supported

Performers, dressed in red and gold, moved in rhythm to the beat of traditional Chinese drums, with firecrackers set off, which symbolises the warding off of evil spirits and welcoming good fortune for the year ahead.

Lots of people in Newcastle City Centre are watching the start of a parade which is led by a banner saying Newcastle Chinese Health Living Centre. Behind the streets are full of people.
The event was watched by thousands of people

Ms Ng said: "We have a lion, dragon and a unicorn.

"We've got two local Mandarin-speaking schools and they wanted to get involved and showcase what their children can do."

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