A CELEBRATION of light, sound and traditional costumes made up a colourful performance from the pupils of Radley College to mark Chinese New Year.

The children, joined by a number of other schools from the county, staged a show on Tuesday ahead of the event celebrated this year from February 16 and marked the official opening of the new Swire Chinese Language Centre, Oxford.

Through the new centre, Radley College and Oxford High School are now teaching the Mandarin language to nine other schools across the county.

Rush Common Primary School headteacher Jacquie Stevenson said: “We are delighted to be working with the Swire Chinese Language Centre, Oxford.

“It is a wonderful opportunity for our children to learn Mandarin Chinese and to study Chinese culture as part of the new initiative.”

The impressive Chinese New Year performance by pupils was followed by a colourful fireworks display.