February 21st 2010 - Gung Hei Fat Choi

Despite Chinese New Year officially being last weekend, the traditional annual celebrations in Liverpool took place today. Snow had fallen overnight, with a sprinkling left on the arch in Chinatown when the lions and dragon arrived to dance this afternoon. The crowds were out to celebrate the Year of the Tiger in style. I liked the way the 'sun' was centred in the archway in this shot, and the movement of the flags and banners around the dragon. A riot of colour and noise in Britain's oldest Chinese community.

January 31st 2010 - Banksy's Rat

Renowned graffiti/street artist, Banksy, was commisioned to stencil this rat on the derelict Whitehouse pub near Chinatown as part of the city's Biennial Art Programme in 2004. Since then he has become internationally recognised and his Liverpool rat is accredited with being Britain's biggest Banksy. The council were forced to reconsider plans to cover the artwork in 2008 following a successful campaign by Banksy fans and famous public figures. The building is up for auction next month. Let's hope the rat lives on...

"January is here, with eyes that keenly glow, A frost-mailed warrior striding a shadowy steed of snow"... As the month comes to a close I have added a slideshow of my January photographs to the blog. These images haven't featured in my daily posts but are still available to purchase.