PEOPLE in Burnley and Pendle are being invited to join in Britain's biggest tea party to help raise vital funds for Pendleside Hospice.

The week beginning Monday, June 14, is officially Tea at Three Week and hospices all over the country are urging their supporters to get take part.

Fundraisers at Pendleside Hospice have suggested a number of ways to get involved.

People could hold a fund-raising tea party, ask work colleagues to make a donation during normal tea breaks, get people to sponsor to give up tea or coffee for a week, or, if they are feeling brave, people could ask others to sponsor them to sit in a bath of cold tea.

Last year thousands of tea parties took place across the UK in lots of different locations such as on lifeboats, up ladders, in trees and even on a tractor.

In Burnley and Pendle hundreds of people participated in Tea at Three activities and raised more than £3,500 for the Reedley based hospice. Last year Coronation Street actress Julia Haworth, from Burnley, joined the party.

Local bakers Oddies will be helping out this year by creating a special Tea at Three fondant fancy which will be the ideal cake to serve at any Tea at Three events.

For every one sold a donation will be made to Hospice Care for Burnley and Pendle.

Pendleside Hospice has Tea at Three information packs available for anyone interested in taking part. These include a special cake recipe devised by actress and well-known cake baker Jane Asher. If you would like a pack telephone the hospice on 01282 440100.

Hospice fundraising manager Kaye Bartle said: "Tea at Three is a fun event that anyone can take part in by just inviting a handful of friends round for a cup of tea and a natter."