A TEA shop run by a mum and daughter is officially home to one of the best brews in Britain after reaching the finals of a UK competition.

The Toby Jug Tea Shop in Whalley, owned by mum and daughter Marie Ireland and Jane Lee, was pipped at the post for the Tea Council's UK Top Tea Place 2003 by a tearoom in Holt, Norfolk.

The Toby Jug was selected from over 130 tea shops across the country to go through to the final round of the competition.

Throughout May, mystery tea tasters visited the Toby Jug and the other 23 UK finalists to sample the tea and test the service in their quest to hunt down the best cuppa in the country.

Only the best candidates in each region went through to the second round of rigorous judging and the mystery inspector who visited the Toby Jug was so impressed he awarded the King Street establishment top marks in nearly all categories.

The tea shops were judged on several criteria, including the flavour, strength and temperature of the tea served, the condition of crockery and staff knowledge and attitude.

Bill Gorman, executive director of the Tea Council, said: "The Toby Jug Tea Shop is setting the standard for top tea-making in the UK.

"As ever, competition for Top Tea Place was tough, but the Toby Jug shone through with its exceptionally high standard of service."

Marie said it was a honour to reach the final stages of the award, as only the best tea shops in Britain were shortlisted. "We are over the moon with this recognition. Jane is expecting her first child in August, so it is an exciting year all round," she added.

The Toby Jug Tea Shop has been run by Marie and Jane for 18 years and reached the last 12 of the competition last year.