IT was best china, bunting and smoked salmon sandwiches as Cotswold Care Hospice staged a special vintage tea party.

Almost 300 people attended the vintage tea events held in the hospice grounds at Minchinhampton.Volunteers made dozens of yards of bunting with donated material to deck the marquee.

The final touch of vintage china was donated by the charity shops, staff and volunteers.SJ Rhead, aged 30, a maths teacher from Minchinhampton, donned a dress and an apron to be a volunteer waitress.

“The hospice looked after my grandparents and it is an amazing place.I wanted to give something back,” she said.

For Judy and Richard Furness, from Uley, the vintage tea had a special significance.Judy’s mother Barbara died six weeks ago following a battle against cancer.

She had attended day hospice and now Judy is receiving bereavement counselling at the hospice.

“Mum loved it here and we want to do whatever we can to support Cotswold Care Hospice,” said Judy.

“That is what mum wanted.

"At first she didn’t want to come to the hospice.

"But then she came for a visit and realised how wonderful it was and always looked forward to her time here.”

Jules Eaton, chief executive of the charity, got into the vintage spirit and donned his morning suit to welcome guests.

“We felt this was the perfect opportunity for people to enjoy our beautiful grounds, take a guided tour of the hospice if they wished and simply to enjoy a marvellous afternoon tea for a good cause,” he said.

The event is part of the charity’s Take Time For Tea campaign to encourage people hold a vintage tea party of their own and raise vital funds for Cotswold Care Hospice.

For more information contact the hospice fundraising team on 01453 886868 or email events@cotswoldcare.org.uk