Competition brewing for afternoon teas

Tradition gets a makeover as a war for customers wages

The popularity of afternoon tea has London hotels vying to attract a new wave of customers by inventing twists on the classic English indulgence - although with tapas and take-aways on offer, some say the trend is going too far.

London's Sanderson hotel won this year's themed afternoon tea of year award for its Mad Hatter's version, with every item inspired by the Alice in Wonderland story.