THE Chinese New Year came in like a lion on Teesside.

University students - members of the Chinese Society - staged a traditional lion dance outside the Students' Union building, in central Middlesbrough, on Friday night.

Members of the tae kwon do club gave a martial arts demonstration and the celebrations culminated with the release of firecrackers.

The town's Chinese community was invited to the event and was greeted by Students' Union president Kay Gibson, who learned some of the language so she could wish everyone a happy new year.