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Children performed in Albert Square

An entourage of drummers, instrumentalists and dancers woke the colourful dragon from its slumber in the vaults of Manchester town hall to parade through the streets of the city.

The parade covered a route from Albert Square to Chinatown before returning to take part in a performance of traditional dance.

Visitors watched as performers from Shena Simon College gave a demonstration of oriental dancing on a stage erected in the main square and visitors saw the dragon visit local businesses to bestow good fortune.

Businesses dangled cabbages and gifts on a string at the doorway to their premises to feed the dragon, which then entered the shops and restaurants to the delight of customers to perform a good luck ritual.