Dragon dancers entertain children's hospital patients

Nine-year-old Laura stroked the lion brought into the hospital

Young hospital patients have been treated to a special performance to mark the Lunar New Year.

Dragon dancers from the Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee performed at the city's children's hospital.

Parent Rachel said it provided a welcome respite as her young son recovered from surgery.

James Wong, chairman of the committee said it followed a record-breaking new year celebration in the City.

Charlie, 12, is recovering in hospital with his mother, Rachel

Among those who were treated to a performance was Laura, nine, from Chelmsley Wood, who is recovering at Birmingham Children's Hospital after a kidney transplant.

She gave the lion puppet a stroke and said it was "funny, cute and fluffy."

Rachel's son, 12-year-old Charlie, enjoyed the visit while recovering after an 11-hour surgical procedure.

"It is just fantastic," she said.

"I think we have had a couple of days where we have been a bit down in the dumps and things haven't gone quite our way and recovery is taking a little bit longer than we had hoped.

"But to be able to have something like that to break up the day was lovely, it really was."

The lion puppet and dancers visited several wards

Mr Wong, who chairs the Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee, said they have been bringing the annual celebrations to the hospital for about the last three years.

"We always enjoy bringing the lion, bringing prosperity, luck and good fortune to somewhere that is quite dear to all our hearts."

He added that this year's Lunar new year celebrations in the city centre, held on Saturday, had attracted around 35,000 people.

People had travelled from as far as Hull to attend, he said.

"It is months and months of hard work... but when it all comes together, seeing the smiles on peoples' faces, it is all worth it," Mr Wong added.