Romford Market welcomed a fiery visitor.
To celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Snake – which began on February 10 – a giant paper dragon paraded around Market Place and Romford Shopping Hall at the weekend.
Accompanied by drums, the dragon - and, later, a dancing lion - led shoppers to the Chinese Emporium shop where, as per Oriental tradition, youngsters were given special red envelopes containing money – or, at least, chocolate coins.
A loud, dancing dragon or lion parade symbolises the warding off of evil spirits.
The photos in our gallery - to the top-right of this page - show the colourful display as it passed up and down the market. Send your photos and thoughts about the display to ramzy.alwakeel@archant.co.uk and you could see them featured on our website too.
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