BRITAIN: Chinatown sees Year of the Dog arrive in style.

DRAGONS, lions and unicorns ushered in the Year of the Dog in Liverpool's Chinatown yesterday.

The sun shone as red firecrackers were set off, colourful parades marched along Berry Street and visitors tucked into steaming bowls of noodles from market stalls and takeaways.

As 15,000 people gathered in Great George Square, organisers described the event as the biggest yet, confirming its place as one of the landmark dates on the city's cultural calendar.

Brian Wong, the event's chief co-ordinator, said: "More and more people are coming each year.

"We seem to have more understanding about diversity as more people of different ethnicity are coming together to appreciate each other's cultures.

"This is the city of culture and I will be working on bringing in a wider variety of attraction over the next two years."

He added: "The Year of the Dog will bring prosperity and happiness to the people of Liverpool."

Labour leader, Councillor Joe Anderson, whose ward hosts the event, described it as "a jewel in the crown" of Merseyside. He added: "I feel we should and could develop it even more, and expand it by letting it run over the Saturday and Sunday."

The day was largely geared around children, with fairground rides, games and stalls selling Chinese toys.

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Chinese New Year celebrations yesterday in Liverpool's Great George Street