CHINESE New Year celebrations are being held in Newcastle's Chinatown on Sunday, February 13, to herald the year of the rooster.

Organisers promise to provide a feast of entertainment including traditional dances and firecrackers with colourful street performances.

Celia Chan, from the Chinese Festivity Group, organisers of the Chinese New Year celebrations, said: "Chinese New Year is the most important festival for Chinese people all over the world. It is a time to celebrate new beginnings and hope."

Celebrations will begin with a dragon dance at the site of the recently unveiled 11.3m high traditional arch, designed by Zhang Long Lai.