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Crowds turn out to welcome Year of the Snake

PA Media A close-up of a vibrant Chinese dragon costume with intricate patterns, fur being carried through the street by performers during a parade. Red lanterns hang in the background.PA Media
PA Media A group of women wearing colourful, traditional Asian clothing, including silver headdresses and red embroidered outfits, stand in a row holding decorated drumsticks.PA Media
London's streets were filled with colour and energy as the Lunar New Year parade welcomed the Year of the Snake
The Year of the Snake is considered a time of good fortune, prosperity and fertility

Large crowds gathered in central London for the Lunar New Year parade to welcome in the Year of the Snake.

A traditional parade, complete with dragons, dancers and handcrafted floats, kicked off events around the Chinatown neighbourhood.

In previous years the parade has attracted crowds of about 500,000 people to the capital's streets, organisers said.

The event is claimed to be the biggest Lunar New Year celebration outside of Asia.

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