Liverpool in England's northwest is welcoming the Chinese New Year in grand style. The city is playing host to a multitude of Chinese cultural events, including a display of ancient Terracotta Warriors and the work of current day Chinese artists. But all eyes are on glitzy celebrations surrounding Chinese New Year itself, in Liverpool's Chinatown – the oldest in Europe. Our correspondent Richard Bestic looks back on the ancient history of the Chinese community in Liverpool.

There's been a Chinatown in Liverpool dating back to the early 1800's. From the earliest days of Sino-UK trade, sailors would jump ship and set-up in business.

COLIN LING CHINESE WELLBEING CHARITY "The sailors were mainly Shanghai or Malaysian Chinese and they came here, jumped ship, saw the need for providing food; accommodation and laundry services for their fellow countrymen, when they docked in the city and so started to set up little businesses."

Although Chinatown's now a destination for tourists, down through the centuries the descendants of those early Chinese sailors are today successful business leaders and proud Liverpudlians.

GRACE LIU CHINESE RESTAURANT OWNER "We need to broadcast ourselves that Liverpool is good. Because we tend to hear bad news about Liverpool, but Liverpool is a wonderful city."

RICHARD BESTIC LIVERPOOL "In terms of numbers, Liverpool's old Chinatown is a shadow of its former self. Many of the ethnically Chinese population having integrated into the wider population. However, there's a new reality too, that is a reinvigorated interest and pride in things Chinese."

Chinese New Year has always been big in Liverpool's Chinatown. This year though, the city says the planned celebrations have been kicked up a gear.

WENDY SIMON LIVERPOOL CITY COUNCILLOR "We'll have thousands of red lanterns and also you know a music and sound display as well to accompany that, which will really wow. We always get great numbers out for Chinese New Year, but this year we're expecting even more."

And the fun, we're told, will keep on coming. China's famous Terracotta Warriors the centerpiece of an eight-month China Dream project. While bringing it up to date, an exhibition of modern Chinese art billed as a window into contemporary China.

LINDSAY TAYLOR "WINDOW INTO CHINA" ART EXHIBITION "Really just how interesting and diverse Chinese contemporary art is. I mean, I think we're in the Chinese century, it's really important that we reflect Chinese culture in everything we do – in our art institutions, our museums our galleries."

Making possibly for a picture perfect New Year in Chinatown. RB, CGTN, Liverpool, England.