Ice sculptures dazzle as China starts Year of Dragon

Celebrations are under way in Beijing to mark the Chinese Year of the Dragon, which starts next week.

Visitors have been flocking to the annual Ice Lantern Festival - to see more than 300 snow and ice sculptures.

Among the wintry works of art are carved palaces, pagodas, tunnels, people and animals.

The centrepiece of the show is a 42m (137ft) dragon called Take-off 2012, which symbolises power and wealth.