With plenty of noise, colour and drama, Chinese New Year celebrations got under way in Durham this weekend and families crowded the streets to enjoy them.
A traditional Lion Dance, accompanied by rousing drum beats, set the mood in Millennium Place outside Gala Theatre on Saturday followed by a procession through the city streets.
Despite the drizzle and winter chill, residents and visitors turned out to line the route and take part in a variety of activities that made the start of the year of the tiger a roaring success.
