SOME of Otley’s youngest citizens have celebrated the Chinese New Year - with a little help from dancing lions.

The Six Harmonies Lion Dancing Troupe visited The Little Green Frog Nursery, at Ashfield Primary School, last week.

The group, from The National Centre of Martial Arts in Harrogate, delighted the children with an action-packed performance that saw their ‘lions’ weave and leap around them.

Then the children, joined by parents and teachers, all had a chance to wear the colourful lion heads themselves and enjoy dancing and drumming in a workshop.

Nursery owner and Early Years teacher Ruth Johnson said: “The children have really enjoyed this opportunity to learn from first-hand experience.

“Learning happens best when children are actively involved and today the children were very happy to engage in this magical experience and so learn about the ancient customs surrounding Chinese New Year.”

Other activities that have been held at The Little Green Frog to mark the occasion have included painting Chinese pictures, using chopsticks and Chinese food.