More than 600 people attended this year’s Chinese New Year celebrations in Worcester - making it the largest event of its kind in 25 years, according to organisers.

Visitors of all ages came from across the region to get a flavour of Chinese culture on January 29.

They enjoyed a host of hands-on activities ranging from calligraphy, bubble painting, poetry, a traditional gongfu tea ceremony to ‘keepy-uppy’, a Chinese shuttlecock game and a visit from PomPom the giant panda.

A traditional lion dance performed by Kui de Tang, a Kung Fu school, was led by James Rodriguez.

Catherine Hyde from University of Worcester and her Chinese student helpers were on hand to help alongwith the Kwei de Tang troupe who brought the event alive with drama and drumming.

A Shi Ba Shi Tai Ji demonstration took place in the Henry Sandon Hall while arts and craft activities were on offer in the Museum of Royal Worcester.

Sophie Heath, director of the Museum of Royal Worcester, said: “It was wonderful to have so many people discover the links between Worcester and China; I was so happy to see so many visitors here today.”

Students learning mandarin at Christopher Whitehead Language College in Worcester were involved in delivering some of the activities and enjoyed running a chopsticks challenge game and teaching visitors how to make origami rabbits.

Engage with China, an educational charity that builds China literacy in UK schools and was one of the event’s organizing partners, delivered two traditional tea ceremonies for more than 60 people.

“This event was primarily about bringing community together around our shared history. It was such a delight to have so many partners work together to convene such a successful event,” said H-J Colston-Inge, director of Engage with China and wife of the Bishop of Worcester.

“Students from the University also volunteered their time and skills to ensure that all worked smoothly,” she added.

Worcester is twinned with the city of Hezhou, in Guangxi province in China, thanks to Frankie Tsang, chairman of the Worcestershire Chinese Association.

New year greetings “from the of two million inhabitants of Hezhou,” were sent by letter by the Mayor of Hezhou City and read out by Worcester’s City Mayor, Adrian Gregson.

Frankie Tsang, said: “This event is about sharing Chinese culture with our community and celebrating our diversity. I am so pleased that so many hundreds of people were able to enjoy it today.”

2023 is the Year of the Rabbit which is the fourth animal in the Chinese 12-year zodiac cycle.

People born in the Year of the Rabbit are claimed to be entrepreneurs, kind and peaceful.

Other special guests who attended the event included Andrew Manning-Cox, High Sheriff of Worcestershire and Lord Faulkner of Worcester.