THE Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution’s care home Shannon Court in Hindhead took part in a Guinness World Record attempt for the largest tea party.

Residents and staff enjoyed a cream tea party as part of a challenge to become the world’s largest multi site tea party.

A total of 12 RMBI Homes in England and Wales took part including 34 residents and staff at Shannon Court.

Shannon Court, manager Kevin Burke, said: “Our residents enjoy a good tea party and so we were really excited when we were asked to be involved in this record breaking attempt. It was a memorable occasion for both residents and staff.”

The event was organised by WhiteOaks, part of the Compass Group, the home’s catering company, which presented the challenge to its partners to help break the record.

A minimum of 25 participants had to take part at each site with two independent adjudicators to witness the start time and number of people present.

Steve Cenci, managing director for healthcare at Compass Group said: “We held the record attempt in conjunction with Hydration Awareness Week, which highlighted the importance of nutrition and hydration as part of quality care, experience and safety improvement in health and social care settings.

“Good nutrition and hydration are essential to health and wellbeing and are also key to helping people recover more quickly from illness.”

• Royal Surrey County Hospital also hoped to brew its way into the record books by taking part in the world’s largest tea party.

The hospital trust joined forces with other health organisations across the world in an attempt to smash the record by inviting patients to join them for afternoon tea.

As part of Global Nutrition and Hydration Week 2016, the hospital hosted a variety of activities to raise awareness of the benefits of good nutrition and hydration throughout the week.

Deputy director of nursing Jenny Faulkner said: “The week was all about raising awareness of the need for good nutrition and hydration, not just for patients but for members of staff as well.

The benefit that a tasty well-balanced meal and regular fluids can have on a patient’s treatment, condition and overall wellbeing cannot be ignored.”

The old record was held by the Yorkshire Building Society, involving 667 colleagues at six locations in the UK, in June last year.