STUDENTS helped to welcome in the Chinese New Year in Darlington.
Hummersknott Academy and Carmel College joined together in Joseph Pease Place, off High Row, to perform traditional Chinese dances to mark the Year of the Dragon.
As shoppers and workers gathered, Jenny Wong, Mandarin teacher and Confucius classroom manager at Hummersknott School, said: "In Chinese mythology, dragons represent power, strength and good luck."
Her students, who have been studying GCSE Mandarin Chinese for two years, have been eager to get out and show the public what they have learnt.
The pupils weaved in and out with their dragon held high above their heads in time to the traditional Chinese music. By joining together, the schools were able to purchase a new Lion prop, which was used by two girls performing a traditional Chinese Lion dance.
Before leaving the town centre, the students put their new language to the test chanting, Xin Nian Kuai Le or Happy New Year.
The Chinese New Year celebrations typically last 15 days, with each day having a different meaning.
The festivities run until February 6.
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