|PIC1|Chinese New Year has begun at various venues across the world as the year of the dog has opened. London is the stage for the largest Chinese New Year celebrations outside Asia, with a whole host of events taking place across the English capital organised by the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone.

The Chinese capital of Beijing celebrated with a bang after Chinese authorities lifted a 12-year ban on fireworks.

Thundering explosions of fireworks are expected to take place across Beijing consistently over Sunday as millions look set to take part in the thousands-year-old tradition meant to drive away bad luck and to scare off evil spirits.

The Chinese capital lifted the ban after a survey took place last year in which 70 percent of residents felt that fireworks made the holiday period more festive.

Meanwhile, in London the celebration for Chinese New Year of the Dog begins with a parade, starting at 11am, along Charing Cross Road to Trafalgar Square. The parade features Gold Sail Dance group from Beijing plus London based performers including Jun Mo.

The main event takes place in Trafalgar Square from 12noon to 5.30pm with dragon and lion dances and the best of Chinese arts and entertainments on stage.

There will be two fireworks displays at 2pm and 5pm in Leicester Square, organised by London Chinatown Chinese Association.

|AD|On Sunday 29 January the British Airways London Eye will be turned red, in celebration of Chinese New Year.

Chinese New Year is the biggest festival of the year in Chinese communities. As it is based on the lunar and solar calendars, the date varies from late January to mid-February.

The Chinese community is one of London's oldest communities, dating back to the mid 1800's. Today over 60,000 Chinese people of diverse origins live in London, with half of these being able to trace their roots to Hong Kong. Others come from mainland China, Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore, report the BBC.

Chinatown has since been transformed by Westminster City Council, to become a major tourist attraction and a cultural focal point of the Chinese community in London, with many Chinese Community Centres, schools and churches offering the growing Chinese community abundant services.