SHOPPERS in a North-East shopping centre will be sampling the Chinese New Year when lion and unicorn dancers join the celebrations.

The dances, believed to bring good luck and happiness and scare off evil spirits, will be performed in Newcastle's Eldon Square, from 10.30am to noon, tomorrow.

The lion and unicorn will come face-to-face in Chevy Chase, the focal point of a four-day display promoting Newcastle's Chinese New Year celebrations. Lunchtime shoppers will be entertained by Chinese dancers, musicians and artists.

The Chinese Festivity Group has joined forces with Newcastle City Libraries, which have delved into their picture archives to provide a display of previous Chinese celebrations, while librarians will be reading children's stories from dual language literature.

In Chinese tradition, each New Year is linked to an animal, and 2005 is the Year of the Rooster.

Eldon Square marketing manager Joan Taylor said: "We are delighted to be able to be working with the Chinese Festivity Group in what is a very special year for the North-East's Chinese community."