EAST met West when dramatic dancing lions celebrated the Chinese New Year on the streets of Worcester yesterday.

The traditional dancing lions, intended to spread joy and happiness at the start of the year, were accompanied by a dancing dragon, a kung fu display, traditional Chinese music and a raffle with a top prize of a return trip to Hong Kong.

The annual extravaganza that welcomed in the Year of the Dog was held outside the Guildhall, in Worcester's High Street.

The spectacle started with a bang as firecrackers, meant to ward off any evil spirits, were set off.

The display was watched by hundreds of shoppers as well as the Mayor of Worcester, Councillor Aubrey Tarbuck.

He said: "It was just fantastic. The people doing the dances must be very fit because it was so energetic and vibrant."

The colourful show was put on by the Worcester Chinese Association, a group that supports the 500 Chinese people living in the city. Andrew Yau, treasurer of the association, helped organise the festivities.

He said: "All the community helped with the day, non-members of the association as well as members.

"My favourite part of the celebrations is probably the lion dance. Everybody enjoys them."

The dancing was performed by pupils of the Choy Lee Fut Kung Fu School, from Hinkley, Leicestershire.