London celebrates Year of the Rat

The celebrations are part of China in London 2008

Thousands of people have gathered to see in the Year of the Rat at Chinese New Year celebrations in London.

The festivities started with a two-hour parade of hundreds of performers including dragons, lions and dancers travelling through the West End.

The opening ceremony at Trafalgar Square featured Chinese dragons, martial arts, and traditional and contemporary music and dance.

London's celebrations are the biggest outside Asia, community leaders say.

The celebrations include displays of fireworks and firecrackers in Leicester Square throughout the afternoon and food and cultural stalls around Chinatown.

Chu Ting Tang, president of London Chinatown Chinese Association, said: "Chinese New Year is the happiest Chinese festival and London's celebrations - the biggest outside Asia - certainly allow people to celebrate in spectacular style."

The celebrations are part of China in London 2008, the third city-wide season of Chinese culture organised by the Mayor of London.