TWO South Lakeland entrepreneurs are hoping to see a successful future in their tea leaves.

Andrew Tomkinson and John Pearce have founded the new online luxury tea company Penningtons of Cumbria.

The firm, based in Backbarrow, sells a range of loose-leaf teas such as the exotically-named Dragon Eye, Jasmine Silver Needle and Pinhead Gunpowder varieties.

Mr Tomkinson said: “We decided tea would make a great business because we are a nation of tea drinkers in the UK — it’s what makes us tick. Our mission now is to provide the finest tea to everyone in Cumbria and beyond.”

Visit www.penningtonsofcumbria.co.uk