RESIDENTS in Bupa care homes in Ilkley and Burley-in-Wharfedale are celebrating with a cup of tea after helping set a new Guinness world record for knitting the world’s biggest tea cosy.

The record was attempted to raise awareness of Bupa’s Communi-tea Week, a giant tea party which helps tackle the issue of isolation and loneliness of older people.

As part of Communi-tea Week and to celebrate the world record, the care homes are hosting afternoon tea parties and are inviting older people in their local communities to join them.

Straven House Residential Home in Ilkley is hosting afternoon tea with musical entertainment from Shirley Britton on Tuesday, from 2pm.

Residents in more than 300 Bupa care homes across the UK, Spain and New Zealand took part in the record attempt after urging their communities to help by sending in their own knitted squares for the giant tea cosy.

This year’s Communi-tea Week will also see a record number of tea parties taking place throughout the country, with thousands of residents inviting their local communities through the door.

Burley Hall Nursing Home is also hosting afternoon tea party on Wednesday from 1.30pm to 4pm. Anyone wishing to attend any of the events can call the homes or the Communi-tea Week hotline on 0113 381 6306, or email communi-teaweek@bupa.com.

This is the third year that Bupa has organised Communi-tea Week, which attracts sponsorship from Tetleys, McVities and Premier Foods.