CHINESE New Year has gone off with a bang across South Essex with hundreds of families celebrating the year of the horse.

Lily Trayler was one of scores of residents who came out to Festival Leisure in Basildon on Friday for a fun-filled evening of entertainment and activities.

Lily, six, was shown what it’s like inside an iconic Chinese dragon by Jordan Fermor, from the International Academy of Martial Arts, which came to “Bas Vegas” as part of lion dancing and drumming entertainment along with and Chinese arts and crafts workshops.

 

Don't miss Tuesday's Echo for all your celebration pictures.