A VINTAGE tea party saw crowds turn out in plenty to help raise awareness and money for Barnardo’s.

Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre at Monkton Heathfield near Taunton hosted a 1940s inspired afternoon tea in aid of the children’s charity and its work in the county on Thursday.

Andrew Pitman, store manager at the garden centre, said: “Our party was a great success and all the money raised, which is still being counted, will be donated to the charity at the end of the year.

"We’re now planning further events with the charity in the coming months so all our fundraising will be added together in December and presented to Barnardo’s in January.

“Our Elm Tree restaurant was transformed into a tea party wonderland with a vintage 1940s theme and we offered afternoon teas, which included unlimited tea and coffee.

“The cakes were donated by Ministry of Cake and Cakesmiths and our suppliers Clifton Coffee, Birchall Tea, Pyne’s of Somerset, MJ Baker, Phillip Dennis and Arthur David also donated goods for us to use for the party.

“At the event, people were 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 and the Apple County Chorus.

"We’d like to extend our thanks to everyone who helped make this event a great success and all those who attended.”

There were 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.

The donations from the event will be used to support some of the services provided by Barnardo’s in Somerset.

In the area the charity is responsible for the Family Link Service, which supports children with complex health needs or life-limiting conditions and the Mandala Therapy and Play Service, which offers specialised therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma or abuse.

Barnardo’s also works in partnership with Knightstone Housing Association to deliver the Somerset Integrated Domestic Abuse Service to support families with children who have experienced domestic abuse.

Michael Hammond, Somerset Locality manager at Barnardo’s, said: “We were delighted to work in partnership with Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre and thank them for their great support in setting up this fundraising event as part of our 150th anniversary.

“Some people might be surprised to know that Barnardo’s works with hundreds of families and children on a weekly basis in Somerset. We are often inundated with requests for help and the money raised from this tea party will go directly into our local budget and make a difference to families and children in the community.”

To find out more, visit Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre.

Alternatively,  call the garden centre on 01823 412 381, visit www.monktonelmgardencentre.co.uk, log on to www.facebook.com/Monktonelm or follow the company on Twitter by visiting www.twitter.com/Monktonelm.