Actress Lesley Garrett took time out of her busy Carousel performance schedule to raise a cuppa in support of the Marie Curie Cancer Care charity.

Britain's popular soprano was joined on the Savoy Theatre stage to promote the charity, by cast members Jeremiah James and Alexandra Silber along with Karen Green and Toni Denyer of Marie Curie, Croydon.

Britons drinks around 165 million cups of tea a day.

Marie Curie hopes local residents will get together with friends and organise their own tea parties.

The charity aims to provide free care for terminally ill people in their own homes or in hospices.

Karen Green said: "This is a great excuse to get together with friends old and new and turn a social get together into something a bit more special.

"It doesn’t take much to pop the kettle on and all money raised will make such a difference to many people long after the party is over."

Everyone can join in the tea party. To host your own visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/teaparty to receive your own free Blooming Great Tea Party fundraising pack.

• For more of what’s on, go to our Events section