AN ASPIRING Haslingden baker has left her job as a social worker to follow her dream of setting up her own tea room.

Andrea Britland, 41, has teamed up with friend Chris Hood, 29, former head chef at the Fisherman’s Retreat in Shuttleworth, to open Dearden Tea Room in Haslingden.

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The mum-of-one decided to make the unusual career move following a spell of holding bespoke vintage afternoon teas in people’s homes last year.

Currently half of the cakes on the menu at Dearden Tea Room are home-made, including and the plan is to extend the range.

Andrea, who has worked for Manchester based Foster Care Associates and previously Lancashire County Council, said: “I have realised my dream.

“I was a social worker for 14 years and was in charge of fostering and adoption but this is what I have always wanted to do. I started baking when my daughter, Evie, was little as an activity to do together. A few people tried the cakes and said they were really good.

“Evie is also a dab hand in the kitchen and a bit of an entrepreneur.

“When we baked lemon drizzle cakes she ran her own stall outside our home and sold out.”

The tea room is housed in a historic building, which was once a plumber’s merchant and most recently a tea room which closed in 2011 and has stood empty since.

Andrea added: “I love this building and am learning so much about it as people come in and share their stories.

“We know it was built in 1752 and it used to be a plumber’s merchant and also a private residence. It closed as a tea room in 2011 due to ill health.

“I knew how popular it used to be and people have been so pleased that we have reopened it and we have had quite a few people who used to visit return.

“This building has been at the heart of the community for so many years and we are so pleased to be able to bring it back.”

Andrea is appealing for any residents who have old photographs of the building that she can copy because she wants to put up a display. She also wants to hear people’s memories of the building. Chris, 29, said: “I wanted to give local people somewhere nice they can go to in the town without thinking they have to drive elsewhere.

“I am enjoying being able to mix with the customers and see their reaction to the food that they eat. We are working seven days a week and 80-90 hours but we are both loving it.”

The tea room is open daily from 9am to 4pm Monday to Saturday and from 10am to 2pm on Sundays. For more information visit Dearden Tea Rooms on Facebook.