DANCING lions paraded through the streets of York last night to herald the start of the Chinese New Year.

Dozens of families joined the lantern-lit procession from St William's College to mark the year of the rooster.

At the specially-created Chinese Arch, at the Coppergate Centre, celebrity chef Jennie Cook led the crowd in a rendition of Happy New Year in Chinese.

Many people brought traditional Chinese lanterns with them that had been made at a series of workshops during the past month at schools.

Melanie Paris, of the National Centre For Early Music, which co-ordinated the Chinese festival, said: "This was a fantastic way to end the festival, which has been a tremendous success."

The Chinese Arch was designed by artists from the Chinese Arts Centre, in Manchester, and decorated by schoolchildren from Osbaldwick, Fishergate and Lord Deramore's primary schools.

Updated: 09:57 Thursday, February 10, 2005