A CHINESE dragon made its way through Chineham Shopping Centre as pupils welcomed the Year of the Rabbit.

Underneath the elaborate lion (above) were children from Great Binfields Primary School in Chineham, who took time out to celebrate the start of the Chinese New Year.

Headteacher Simon Cushing, said it is just one of the many different things that the children get up to. “We like to do things that are off the beaten track,” he told The Gazette. “The children had a great time.”

Mr Cushing said he bought the dragon from online auction site e-bay for £10.46 in 2009 after pupils learned about Chinese culture.

He was approached by Julie Shepherd, community champion at Tesco, in Chineham, who wanted to mark the new year event.

She said: “It really was terrific. I knew that Great Binfields had this fantastic Chinese dragon and it was great that the children came along. I know the customers really enjoyed it.”