CHILDREN from Middlesbrough have been learning about the Chinese New Year.

Lip Lee has been reading Oriental folk tales to pupils from Ayresome Primary School and Hemlington Hall Primary School.

They have been learning about customs and cultures as the Far East celebrations for the year of the monkey continue.

Young People's Library manager Rita Wilson said: "The kids have really enjoyed it and I think their teachers have as well.

"It is interesting to hear about the Chinese folk stories and it is good for them to learn about other cultures. They have even learnt a few Chinese words."

The children tried crafts including origami, calligraphy, Chinese horoscope masks and kite-making.

Visits from storytellers from around the world are part a festival of diversity in Middlesbrough, funded with £1,000 from the North-East Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.

Meanwhile students are celebrating the onset of the Chinese New Year in style.

There will be Chinese lion dancing and music, traditional dancing and a display of martial arts at the University of Teesside, Middlesbrough, on Friday.

Event organiser, Amanda Carroll, 25, chairwoman of the Students' Union's Tae Kwon Do Club, said: "This is a great way for students from different cultures to get together.''

University deputy vice- chancellor Professor Mike Smith will be in the audience for the event, which is being sponsored by travel agency Xinlung Group Ltd.

The community is invited to attend the show, in Club One on the second floor of the Students' Union building, from 5.30pm.