A VINTAGE-THEMED tea party is being held at a garden centre near Taunton in aid of charity.

Monkton Elm Garden and Pet Centre is hosting a vintage 1940s inspired tea party in aid of Barnardo’s on Thursday, July 7 from 3pm.

Andrew Pitman, store manager at the garden centre, said: “As part of our Summer Open Week, which runs from July 4 until 10, we decided it would be fun to host a tea party in aid of charity. We decided on Barnardo’s as it is marking its 150th birthday this year and we’re very impressed with the work it does so wanted to help out in some way.

“We’ve decided to transform our Elm Tree restaurant into a tea party wonderland with a vintage 1940s theme.

"We’ll be offering afternoon teas, which include unlimited tea and coffee for £6.99 per-person or £3.99 per child.

“The cakes for the afternoon tea will be donated by Ministry of Cake and our suppliers Clifton Coffee, Birchall Tea, Pyne’s of Somerset, MJ Baker, Phillip Dennis and Arthur David have also donated goods for us to use to prepare food for the party.

“At the event people will be able to find out more about the work Barnardo’s does and chat to representatives as well as enjoy themed music from the Lazy Swing Band from 3pm until 5pm and the Apple County Chorus at 5.30pm.

"We are hoping to just cover our costs and donate around 60-70 per cent of our proceeds to the charity.”

There will be a variety of children’s activities taking place during the event including a treasure hunt, a ‘stick the smile on the Cheshire Cat’ game, colouring in and the chance to make card people, rabbit masks, pink flamingos and heart paper chains.

Tickets for the party are available from the garden centre’s reception desk or via www.monktonelmgardencentre.co.uk.