Hundreds of people have turned out to celebrate Chinese New Year in Southampton.

The ground floor of the WestQuay shopping centre has been taken up by stalls selling Chinese clothes, food, games and toys.

The Year of the Monkey will officially begin on Monday February 8, but shop owner Robert Costi said that the celebrations always start early.

Among those performing are Southampton group UK Shaolin Temple and member Martine Niven says she is thrilled to be a part of the celebrations.

She said: "When I first joined the temple it was nothing like it is today.

"You cannot learn about Tai Chi and Kung Fu without also learning about the Chinese cultures and beliefs.

"As a westerner, I feel very privileged to be able to join in with the celebrations as the Chinese culture has taught me so much and I have changed as a person because of it."