A NEW business venture is offering cut price afternoon teas while tackling isolation and loneliness.

Orange Cake has been set up by Rachael Mawston, 39, her sister Beccy Mincher, 34, and mum Glenis Simmonds, 58.

Mrs Mawston, a mother of three from Rushyford, near Newton Aycliffe, was initially inspired while reading a report on isolation and loneliness in County Durham while studying for her health and social care degree at Durham New College.

She said: "I wanted to see if we could bring people together and mum is an amazing baker and always has been. We came up with the idea of doing afternoon teas."

For £5 guests can spend two hours socialising while tucking into homemade cakes and scones served on an eclectic mix of delicate China.

"When we were growing up my mum had four children and had to learn to keep the cost down and made everything from scratch and that’s where her love of baking came from," said Mrs Mawston. "It’s a range of traditional baked goods of a high quality that you would expect your grandmother to make for you."

The first event in Aycliffe Village Hall attracted 35 people between the ages of 20 and 80.

"It was brilliant," said Mrs Mawston. "There is no seating arrangement and some people came on their own and ended up chatting and swapping numbers. That initial fear of coming out had been broken."

The next event is tomorrow (4th) at Middridge Village Hall but the 60 tickets have already sold out.

Orange Cake, named after Mrs Simmonds’ family favourite, has been running for a few months and has already hosted several private occasions across County Durham and Darlington including baby showers and New Year parties.

The team hopes to expand the venture in the long-term by hiring a community kitchen.

Mrs Mawston added: "It’s taken us all by surprise. I’m inspired by how people have taken to it and it’s encouraged us to carry on. If you know someone who is stuck in doors or can’t travel very far then bring them along."

For more information see orangecake.co.uk or facebook.com/orangecakeuk/