A HARTFORD resident is taking Cheshire residents back in time with her 1940s themed afternoon tea parties.

Susan Yeoman, 48, has been baking since she was 20, but only began staging vintage inspired afternoon tea parties in June.

Susan serves up sandwiches and cakes and, uniquely, she will even act as your very own 1940s character waitress.

“Everyone’s interested in visiting the past, and the vintage theme has become quite prominent,” she said.

“I’ve always had an interest in that sort of thing. I can’t wait walk past a tea shop and I have a passion for cakes.”

Susan‘s love of tea has even earned her the nickname ‘Polly’ from her family, as she is always the one to put the kettle on.

It is the waitressing element of the event that Susan believes makes ‘Polly Queen of Cakes’ standout from the competition.

“There’s not really anyone else offering that,” she said.

“We provide music and do the washing up as well, so it’s a complete experience.”

Entertaining has always been in Susan’s nature, having spent 18 years as a children’s entertainer, working for well-known brands such as Harrods.

However, she decided to make the switch to professional baking as she was becoming increasingly tired with the unsociable hours that the job demanded.

“It was very intense and exhausting being in character all day long,” she said.

Her creative streak has also seen her working as a make-up artist for film and television.

Nowadays, Susan is more likely to be found hunting for mint condition vintage crockery in charity shops.

“I can’t resist antique teacups,” she said. “I started collecting them and my grandmother had left me some.

“I’m quite fussy about the ones I buy, and won’t get anything that has the smallest chip in it.”

So far the venture is proving to be a hit with the Cheshire set, with Susan’s lemon drizzle cake a particular favourite amongst her clientele.

“All you need is a table and hot water and we can set up a party,” she added.

“We can even hold them in offices!”