BOURNEMOUTH residents helped to ring in Chinese New Year over the weekend.

Around 100 people gathered outside the Sovereign Shopping Centre in Boscombe to watch a traditional lion dance performed by Dragon of the South.

The performers then travelled through the centre blessing the shops as they passed.

It marked the start of the Lunar Fiesta, which runs until Saturday, February 11, organised by the Wisdom (Zhiuhui) Foundation, with the help of the Coastal Business Improvement District (Coastal BID).

There was also a chance for shoppers to watch an Aladdin pantomime.

Over the course of the Lunar Fiesta celebrations, there will be a Multicultural Curry Contest Exhibition, mask making and lantern workshops, a Chinese painting exhibition, theatrical performances, and an Asian Wonderland in Boscombe precinct.

Bournemouth Mayor Eddie Coope attended the show as well as a second celebration of Chinese New Year at Bournemouth Library on Saturday.

He said: "Bournemouth and Boscombe are multi-cultural areas and it's wonderful to celebrate their traditions with them.

"Chinese New Year is always a great celebration and the Chinese community here in Bournemouth are great at involving the rest of the community."

The event at Bournemouth Library included dancers, Kung Fu demonstrations, a tea ceremony, Qi Pao fashion show and a lantern making workshop.

Janet Ho, who runs JH Action Fights Southbourne, with her son Hayward was performing during the event along with many of her students.

Speaking to the Echo she said: "It's lovely to share my heritage and traditions with others and wonderful to see so many people turn up to watch the show.

"It's been a really fun event and you always see things you don't expect."

Chinese New Year 2017 took place on Saturday (Jan28). The Year of the Rooster will last until February 15, 2018.