FIRECRACKERS and lion dancers drew hundreds of people into High Wycombe to mark the start of the Year of the Snake.
The Chinese New Year celebrations got off with a bang in the High Street, on Sunday, with people of all ages and backgrounds enjoying the event.
Residents from all ethnic backgrounds flocked to the town centre to welcome in the new year, which symbolises wisdom and flexibility.
It is the fifth year running that High Wycombe has held Chinese New Year celebrations and people watched lion dancers and then went to the Royal British Legion, in St Mary Street, for a Chinese buffet.
One of the lion dancers, Charlie Chan, said of the dancing: "A lot of it is martial arts moves so it takes some practice."
Joseph Poon, from the Buckinghamshire Chinese Association, said: "It is a community event.
"It not only belongs to the Chinese community but the whole of Wycombe town because we are part of the town.
"The celebrations are to welcome in the new year and to wish prosperity and harmony to society."
Onlooker Steven Miller, 23, from Queen Alexandra Road, High Wycombe, said: "It is interesting. It is nice to see different cultures. It shows Wycombe is a multi-cultural society."
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