LANCASHIRE TEA executive Paul Needham dressed up as his grandfather might have done to travel back in time to a 1930s tea room as part of sponsoring a project raising funds for North West art students.

Students graduating this summer from the interactive arts degree course at Manchester School of Art decided to create a fully-functioning 1930s-style tea room for 10 days in the School’s Holden Gallery, complete with waiting staff in frilly pinnies and dickie bows.

When he heard about it on Twitter, Mr Needham from the Liverpool-based firm decided to help the students recreate the heyday of high-class tea rooms by providing all the tea, as well as china mugs to sell.

To help the students plan the event, he also gave them a factory visit and information about the history of tea in the North West.

He said: “I was really impressed by how well the students have recreated the classic 1930s tea room.

“It’s a real tribute to their commitment to the project that they’ve done such a great job with it and at Lancashire Tea we’re delighted to have been able to help.”