Ref. 75998-97CHILDREN at a Swindon infants school are getting a double dose of Chinese culture this week.

Celebrating the Chinese New Year at Even Swindon Infants' School meant getting to grips with chopsticks as youngsters took part in a special oriental feast.

Val Willis, the school's Early Years co-ordinator, said: "The children really enjoyed it. They were learning to use the chopsticks, and everyone tried the noodles and prawn crackers.

"Then there was fruit salad with lychees in it. They had a really good time."

Tomorrow the Chinese theme continues.

Mrs Willis said: "We are having dragon dances. We've made the dragons and lanterns, and also red purses with chocolate coins inside.

"We've also been making Chinese music.

"We listened to Chinese music and the children were deciding which instruments we could hear. They were making music that we thought sounded Chinese."

The celebrations are to mark the beginning of the year of the rooster. According to traditional Chinese belief, pride is just one of a rooster's many characteristics.

And Chinese cooking's greatest champion in Britain paid a timely visit to Swindon.

TV chef Ken Hom was busy cooking up some tasty New Year recipes at Asda Walmart at the Orbital Shopping Park.

Ken has promoted Chinese cooking around the world, and also has his own range of stir-fry sauces and noodles.

He began to teach cookery classes at home and was soon signed up to write his first book.

He has had many books published in many languages and has worked extensively in TV.

More than 200 shoppers watched him in action.

They were then able to sample dishes such as Tiger Prawns in Thai Green Curry flavoured with Lemon Grass, Chilli Chicken with Shitake Mushrooms and Tangy Beef in Black Bean Sauce.

Ken said: "It's great to celebrate Chinese New Year and I've been very pleased with the interest and enthusiasm shown."