THE CHILDREN at the Busy Bees Nursery in Braintree were in luck as they got to take part in activities for Chinese New Year.

Today about 50 children at the nursery in Galleys Corner arrived at the celebratory party in colourful clothes and Chinese outfits from their dressing up boxes.

One of their favourite activities was the tasting table full of ‘lucky foods’ to bring in the New Year, including dumplings, rice balls and noodles.

Whilst the older children made Chinese lanterns and monkey masks to celebrate the year of the monkey, the younger children made a pink blossom tree and firework pictures.

Lisa Webb, acting manager at the nursery, said: “One of the best activities was making lucky red envelopes.

“The children drew pictures to put in red envelopes and take home to give to a loved one, with two pence in for luck. They have been very busy.

“They love doing anything messy and it’s something different, and they were really happy about the fact they got to eat more food.”