BRITAIN’S favourite beverage is being celebrated across the country with National Tea Day today.

Billed as the ultimate celebration of all things British, there will be special events happening all over the country as tea fanatics unite over their love of a good brew.

Swindon’s Old Town is a well-known hotspot for cafes where hundreds of people every day pop in for a quick cuppa and a bite to eat.

Family business Rosie Lee’s Tea Rooms on Victoria Road is one of the newest additions to the town’s thriving cafe culture.

Manager Elaine Cowell said: “We’ve been offering afternoon tea since we opened in February.

“We’re getting more and more bookings for it and even a few regulars.

“Every day is tea day here!”

Elaine is the sister of the cafe’s owner Allison Saunders.

Allison’s daughter Lucy said: “Everyone drinks tea, everyone likes it.

“It’s a close race between English breakfast and Earl Grey for the most popular one we sell.”

Elaine added: “It’s quite a social drink, people like to meet up and and talk over tea.

“When they come here, they like the novelty of having it served in a big teapot with a colourful tea-cosy over it.”

Lucy added: “It’s a really chilled-out atmosphere here.”

The family set up shop in Gibson’s after the owner of the bar let them use the premises during the daytime.

Elaine said: “Allison’s always wanted to do this, I was made redundant and she was unhappy where she worked so we decided that the time was right to give it a go.”

Across the road, popular coffee shop Jack’s also offers afternoon tea.

Chef Dave Rendle prepares the scones.

He said:“The cream teas and scones and afternoon teas are going down well, a lot of people have phoned up to pre-book it.

“We obviously sell a lot more coffee than tea but it’s still a very popular choice.”

National Tea Day was founded as a community movement of tea houses and fans to promote British culture and bring people together to raise money for good causes.

Charities will be hosting tea parties to fundraise for Ronald McDonald House Charities, the British Red Cross, the Trussell Trust, the Sick Children’s Trust, Sobell House, and We Hear You Cancer Counselling.

The main event of the day is a festival in London featuring new blends of tea and live music.

For more information, visit nationalteaday.co.uk