COLOURFUL dancing lions will form the centrepiece of celebrations across Hampshire today, as Chinese communities usher in the Year of the Monkey.
Theatre audiences in Southampton can even see one on stage - starring alongside Jim Davidson in Aladdin at The Mayflower.
The authentic costume was borrowed from one of the proprietors of Charlie Chan's Chinese restaurant in Oxford Street after the original panto prop was found to be unsuitable.
"We had a real job finding one," explained company manager Antony Bishop.
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