CHINESE New Year was greeted in multi-national style in Bacup.

The Second Rossendale Scouts held their Year of the Dragon fundraising bash outside Mario's Italian Restaurant, so Mario di Michele and his staff switched to Chinese cuisine. Police had to divert traffic in the centre of Bacup because so many people attended. The evening raised £300.

Organiser Graham Helm, said: "In previous years we held the event at a Chinese restaurant, but when it closed down we were left with a problem. But Mario stepped in and did us proud. It was a great night."

Mario and his staff are pictured entertaining Scout group members Matthew Wilcox, Brett Aspden, Stuart Haslam, Martin Dennison and Michelle Aspden.

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