TODAY marks the start of the Chinese New Year.

And celebrations were in full swing in Bolton with youngsters marking the important festival in spectacularly colourful style as the took part in traditional Chinese activities.

St Peter and St Paul's RC Primary School invited in parents to join in the celebrations.

Children enjoyed a whole host of creative activities as well as learning about the festival and the Year of the Dog.

They had a chance to tuck into noodles and wear traditional Chinese clothes to mark the occasion.

Kat Travis, the school's early years lead, said: "Children in reception and nursery celebrated the Chinese New Year with their parents.

"They ate traditional Chinese food and made lanterns and masks."

She added: "The children absolutely loved it and so did the parents.

"They found about the Chinese New Year and what year they were born in, with some of them being born in the Year of the Dragon, which they liked."

Some parents will continue celebrations at home by recreating the activities for their children.

This will be the first Year of the Earth Dog since 1958.

It is said anyone born in an Earth Dog year will be communicative, serious, and responsible in the workplace.