DANCING lions have helped Otley toddlers celebrate the Chinese New Year.

Children at The Little Green Frog Nursery, at Ashfield Primary School, were delighted to receive a visit from the Six Harmonies Lion Dance Crew last week.

The group gave an energetic performance and then let the children have a go at lion dancing - complete with costumes - and playing some Chinese percussion instruments.

The visit complemented other activities the nursery has been holding to mark the Chinese New Year, including cooking and tasting Chinese food, playing Chinese drums and making lanterns.

Little Green Frog Nursery owner Ruth Johnson said: "These activities support the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework - by celebrating festivals from other cultures children are able to find out about the world.

"Some of our children have family or friends in the Far East so this has brought their lives closer together."

Four year old Heidi added: "I liked being inside the lion, it was really fun and really warm."