CHINESE New Year celebrations came to a north city at the weekend with a performance of the Lion Dance.

The ceremony, performed outside Durham's Gala Theatre by Durham Hung Sing Choi Lee Fut Kung Fu Club, heralded the Year of the Ram.

The lion, brought to life by club members Shaka Brown, Liam Newberry, Sarah Williams and Chi Chung, also visited Chinese restaurants.

Other club members provided music for the dance.

At the end of the dance, the lion spits out leaves, which are said to bring luck to people who catch them.

Saturday's event was staged by Durham City Forum, Durham County Council and the city council.

Colin Wilkes, of the forum, said it could herald efforts to revive the Chinese New Year festival held in the city a few years ago.

"I think this will be a forerunner for something bigger.

"We are delighted the weather was okay and it is nice to celebrate the new year with the Chinese community.''