Every year when you hear the firecrackers and see the fireworks shootings into the sky, followed by the Chinese Lion and unicorn dance, you know that another Chinese New Year is here.

Friends and relatives travel from everywhere in the country to celebrate together for the evening, and it may be the only time in the year that they get the chance to see each other.

The hall rings out with the sound of Kung Hei Fat Choy as everyone greets their friends with Happy New Year.

Young kungfu artists on stage at the gala

Children receive their traditional Chinese red envelopes with lucky money inside, making it a special evening for them as well.

Full of confidence, the children perform traditional Chinese dancing, kungfu, poetry and singing.

The parents of the performers especially enjoy themselves, knowing that their efforts throughout the year -- taking the children to the Sunday Chinese school every week -- has paid off.

Halina Hung of the East of England Chinese Association at the gala.

The Nottingham Chinese Women's Association prepared New Year's cakes to sell for the school fund, while a raffle and auction also help raise money for the East of England Chinese Association.

The school has more than 200 students from around the East Midlands who study art, dancing, kungfu and Mandarin and Cantonese.

The evening included special guests from the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, the police and education departments and other dignitaries.

You can see some of the children's art work in our special feature on the Year of the Snake.

Sing a lovely song!		The Lions have arrived
All dressed up for a party		A chance for the family to celebrate
Everybody is kungfu fighting		The Lion stole the show!