A NEW tearooms and bookshop is set to open in New Milton.

The Beatons franchise will open the tearooms in the former hearing and mobility centre in Station Road.

Angela Thorn, who will be running the new business, says they will open around Easter.

Money will be raised at their launch event for Helping Old People New Milton.

All Beatons Tearooms are inspired by the elegance of royal photographer and costume designer Sir Cecil Beaton.

There will be full table service, more than 30 loose leaf teas, regional coffee blends, home-made cakes and light food served in bespoke Villeroy and Boch china as well as a carefully curated selection of books for sale.

Angela was inspired to become a Beatons franchise owner after experiencing the tearooms at Blandford.

Along with her partner Tony, the pair say the new venture is also an ideal way to honour the memory of her mother, a lover of afternoon tea.

Patrick Duffy, CEO and founder of the group said: "With such a passionate and genuinely caring tearoom owner as Angela, I have no doubt Beatons New Milton will be both valued and loved by its residents in a very short space of time."

Go to beatonstearooms.co.uk for more information.