Youngsters welcomed in the Chinese New Year by learning all about the wonderful – and tasty – Chinese culture.

Pupils of Lamplugh School welcomed in the Year of the Rat by spending time discovering foods from China, and comparing them to what they'd normally find in their lunchbox.

Key Stage One teacher, Susan Rudd is currently studying China with her youngsters, including the geography and culture of the country, and thought the New Year festivities would be a perfect way to bring some fun to the lessons.

The whole school took part in Tuesday's celebrations, on January 28, tasting oodles of noodles, scrumptious spring rolls and cracking fortune cookies, and the excited pupils loved every mouthful.

Year 1 pupil Ted Donohoe was a big fan of the food, saying, "I really liked the sweet and sour sauce – it was yummy", and Harry Daglish couldn't wait to eat noodles again.

As well as comparing their food to the Chinese treats, the children enjoyed figuring out how to use chopsticks instead of knives and forks, and were even given a glimpse into their future, which Reception's Erin Thompson loved.

The happy youngster said: "I liked opening my fortune cookie – it had a note in it!"

Gift-giving was also on the day's syllabus, as the youngsters were taught about the importance of New Year presents in China.

And to top the day off, all children helped to create a giant – and extremely colourful – dragon, learning all about what the magical creature means in Chinese culture.

Putting the lovely piece together was followed by the school's Early Years being invited to tuck into the Chinese banquet with KS1 pupils.

Mrs Rudd was thrilled with the day of celebration, and said all teachers "were really impressed with how keen they were to try new foods".