THE Chinese New Year was celebrated in spectacular style as the people of Bolton welcomed in the year of the rooster.

Children throughout the borough celebrated the occasion by learning more about Chinese culture and traditions.

Horwich Library put on special new year's party where creative youngsters made and decorated their very own dragon to take home.

Nursery children at Bolton School took part in a number of activities including creating paper lanterns and the highlight of which was undoubtedly leading the dragon outside.

The children tried delicious noodles and spring rolls with sweet and sour sauce and prawn crackers.

Students from the Chinese students and Scholars Association from the University of Bolton gathered in the Social Learning Zone with guests including the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Lynda Byrne, assistant vice-chancellor at the University of Bolton, Bill Webster and executive director of Manchester China Forum, Rhys Whalley.

They were treated to a lion dance, a demonstration of Chinese traditions from students and the all-important countdown to the New Year.

Mayor of Bolton Cllr Lynda Byrne said: "The town of Bolton has a strong association with China.

"Eleven years ago Bolton signed a friendship agreement with the city of Zhaoqing in Guangdong Province.

"This agreement was signed in order to start a long term relationship and since then the links between the two have continued to improve in terms of education, culture and commerce.

"We are delighted that the University of Bolton attracts so many students from around the world. The University is a wonderful asset to Bolton and is something we are all very proud of."

Assistant vice-chancellor for the University Bill Webster, said: "In these strange and challenging times, let’s hope that the year of the fire rooster is an auspicious year, a year for luck and prosperity. Let us hope that we have an extremely good year."