Colourful celebrations will be staged in the town centre on Saturday to mark the Chinese New Year.

Cultural events will start with creative workshops at Maidstone Museum.

Between 10.30am and 2.30pm, children will be able to make their own Chinese dragons at the museum in St Faiths Street.

Youngsters can also be creative at The Early Learning Centre, in Fremlin Walk, where there will be art supplies available. Prizes will be given for the best drawings.

At 12.15pm, crowds are invited to watch the Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Rodd Nelson-Gracie, start a traditional lion dance in Fremlin Walk.

The lion will parade through the shopping centre, Week Street and Earl Street.

Celebrations will cumulate at 6pm with another performance outside Kala Red, in Bank Street.

The Year of the Snake officially begins on Sunday.