A CITY venue more used to hosting historic tours and council meetings came alive with songs and dance from a different culture this afternoon.

Chinese singers, dancers and acrobats entertained crowds at the Guildhall in Worcester as part of the city's Chinese New Year Celebrations.

Chinese New Year — this year being the year of the goat/sheep — this year is celebrated from February 19 to March 5, and in honour of Worcester's links with the country, the Guildhall hosted a free event which invited residents to explore Chinese culture.

Around 200 people gathered outside the Guildhall to witness a Chinese lion dance before Frankie Tsang, the chairman of Worcestershire Chinese Association (WCA), opened proceedings inside the hall with a speech.

Mr Tsang, who was recently made a fellow of the University of Worcester, said: "This year is the year of the goat — this means anyone born in this year is passionate, artistic, creative and gentle.

"The WCA was set up 12 years ago, mainly to organise Chinese New Year celebrations in the city but also to act as good ambassadors for integration and the promotion of friendship and culture."

Mr Tsang thanked event organisers before more words were said by Councillor Alan Amos, the Mayor of Worcester, and Vince Hopkins, chairman of the Worcester Ambassadors.

Crowds watched as performances were given of traditional Chinese instruments, songs, dances and demonstrations of acrobatics and Kung Fu before traditional Chinese food was served.

Lucy Clarke, from St John's, said it was a "fantastic show".

"I really enjoyed the whole event. It was lovely to catch a glimpse of a different culture in this way. It was entertaining and educational for me, as I don't know a great deal about Chinese culture," she said.

Chinese New Year is centuries old and is significant in part because of several myths and traditions. Traditionally, the festival was a time to honour deities as well as ancestors. In traditional Chinese households, families will gather for a meal and also clean the house to sweep away any ill-fortune and to make way for goodluck.