MORE than 25,000 people packed into Liverpool to help celebrate Chinese New Year.

Firecrackers exploded and a colourful dragon weaved  through the city streets from Chinatown to mark the Year of  the Dragon.

The Chinese New Year  officially starts today (January 23) when the  placid year of the Rabbit makes  way for the volatile Dragon.

A brightly decorated, three  metre long water dragon made  from old lanterns, fake fur, pipe  cleaners and glitter balls took  centre stage, weaving down  Berry Street and into Great  George Square at around 1pm  for the traditional firecracker  display. Performers then  moved to Bold Street for  the first time.

The street market  planned for Great George  Street had to be moved to  the car park of the Chung  Wah supermarket, due to  the high winds.

But organiser  Colin Ling of the Liverpool  Chinese Business Association  said: “It worked very well, so  well that we had to put stewards  on to control  the flow of  traffic.”

Organiser Mr Ling said the  rising popularity was a credit to  the way Liverpool has grown  culturally.

He said: “I have been involved  for about the last 12 years and I  think there were more people  there than ever before.

“Over the last few years, it  has become more and more  popular. It all goes with the way  the city is growing and growing  in terms of culture.

“I want to thank Liverpool  City Council and Kate Smith  and Chloe Drury in particular.

“It has  been absolutely  magnificent.”