DAZZLING colours, delicious food and a 100ft dragon are all part of York's Chinese New Year celebrations this weekend.

A series of Oriental-flavoured events are planned to mark the start of the Year of the Dog.

The festival is being co-ordinated by the National Centre for Early Music (NCEM).

The Museum Gardens will stage a spectacular performance by the lion dancing troupe, Ocean's Apart, tomorrow between 3pm and 4pm, along with Chinese face-painting, and a chance to sample Chinese tea.

Art and design students at York College have made 20 decorative banners for the celebrations in the Museum Gardens.

They are stretched on bamboo frames, feature Chinese imagery, and will be used as a back drop for Oceans Apart.

A massive 100-foot Chinese dragon created by children from Copmanthorpe, Huntington, Our Lady's and Manor CE Schools will be on display at the gardens.

Two Chinese lantern-making workshops were being staged today at Tang Hall Library, from 2pm to 4pm, and at the NCEM tomorrow, from 11am to 1pm.

Meanwhile, children at Lord Deramore's Primary School, in Heslington, were taught how to make Chinese spring rolls by top York chef Michael Hjort. He was joined by Chinese students from York St John's college who talked to the children about the Chinese New Year and how it is traditionally celebrated in China and the particular foods that are eaten at this time of year.

Youngsters at the Melbourne Terrace Playgroup, York, celebrated in style by dressing up in silk gowns and playing with fans. They also made colourful lanterns and learned how to cook egg fried rice.

Melanie Paris, marketing director at the NCEM, said: "We have had a tremendous interest in this festival from local people and we look forward to celebrating Chinese New Year's Day in the Museum Gardens.

Updated: 09:54 Saturday, January 28, 2006