A CONSERVATIVE peer who allegedly kicked the bottom of a dancing lion during last year’s Chinese New Year joined in with the celebrations last night.

Lord Norman Tebbit and his wife Lady Margaret joined members of the Bury St Edmunds community at Canton Chinese Restaurant in Hatter Street.

Performers from The Golden Dragon Martial Arts Club in Newton, near Sudbury, entertained the crowds with drummers and two dancing lions.

Last year eye witnesses reported Lord Tebbit, of nearby Churchgate Street, tried to stop the drumming outside the restaurant and kicked a dancing lion on the bottom.

Restaurant owner Patrick Chung, town councillor for the Minden ward, said this year he had especially invited Lord Tebbit and his wife, adding how what happened last year was “long forgotten”.

Speaking at the restaurant, Lord Tebbit said: “Patrick and I have become good friends.”

He said he had enjoyed the performance, joking: “I’m sure it was all cleared by health and safety.”

He added how the Chinese New Year celebrations seemed to be “part of the town”.

That view was shared by sisters Janet Ball, 66, of Churchgate Street, and Carol Marsh, 64, of Church Walks, who come every year.

“It’s part of the Bury tradition. We love it. You get more and more people every year,” Mrs Ball said.

Members of the Bury and Bardwell groups of the Red Hat Society, a socialising group for women, had also come to join in the celebrations.

Mr Chung said: “We just want to wish everybody in the year of the rabbit health and prosperity.”

He added how it was an occasion for the Bury community to come together and experience another culture.

Raffle tickets were being sold at the restaurant last night to raise money for improvements at Howard Community Primary School in St Olaves Road, where Mr Chung is acting chair of governors.