Pensioners at a Beswick housing complex are hoping for a place in the Guinness Book of Records after taking part in what they hope will be the world's biggest tea party.

More than 90 tenants, relatives and friends of Charlesworth Court in Beswick, joined hundreds of sheltered housing schemes for older people around the country who joined the simultaneous brew up at 3pm in an attempt to make the record books.

The previous record was established in 2001 by a facilities company in Sweden when 9,642 people enjoyed a cup of tea and a bun at different venues all at the same time.

Kath Brooks, Northern Counties' Supported Housing Manager said: "As a major provider of sheltered housing, we were delighted to help try and win back this important record for the UK where it rightfully belongs!  It was gerat to see so many of our tenants getting into the spirit of things and I think the event will send out a positive message about the friendly atmosphere that exists in sheltered housing."

The campaign was organised by ErosH (the Emerging Role of Sheltered Housing) which represents sheltered housing providers throughout the UK.  Over the coming weeks they will be tallying up hundreds of authentication statements from official witnesses to each party to determine whether the record has been broken.

Guests at Charlesworth Court included local MP Tony Lloyd as well as members of the council.  Tetley provided the tea, and scheme manager Peter Hacking organised singing and entertainment.

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