ORGANISERS of this year’s Chinese New Year events in Carlisle have hailed them as their best yet.

Scores of people flocked to the Market Square on Saturday and followed the parade, as it made its way past the Cathedral and through to Tullie House.

Despite early fears the event may have been a washout, the rain held off and a burst of sunshine saw the parade go ahead without a hitch.

More than 30 people, including volunteers, were involved in the special outdoor activities and events - which included kung fu and acrobatic performances, drumming workshops, traditional Chinese crafts, storytelling and face-painting.

An eight-foot panda named Pom Pom also made an appearance.

This year - 2020 - is the Chinese year of the rat in the zodiac calendar.

Sarah Forster, schools and families co-ordinator at Tullie House - the team which organised the celebrations - said: “Our parade and celebrations have perfectly coincided with a new exhibition we have named the Treasures of China.

“We’ve run Chineuse New Year events in the city for the past three years, but because the exhibition has opened this time, we have been able to celebrate that too and get people in to see the amazing stuff we have on display.”

Sarah added that staff have been building up to the ‘landmark’ exhibition for a number of years.

“We have a good collection of Chinese items, but we’ve also borrowed some from the Oriental Museum at Durham University, all of which is building on our work with groups in China throughout the year.”

Charlie Summers, programme manager at Tullie House, is behind the museum’s big exhibition.

She explained: “This has been four years in the making, and we are delighted people can finally come along and see the display for themselves.

“It has brought together precious jades, silk and artwork from more than 3,000 years all under one roof, and we have done lots to explain all of the important history each artefact has.

“The silk items have enabled us to shine a light on the silk trade, which opened up to the European markets.

“We also have an important collection of ceramics which are beautifully patterned, and links well with our section on tea drinking.”

The Treasures of China exhibition opened to the public on Saturday and lasts until April 26.