A VENICE-themed afternoon tea in Grange-over-Sands raised £1,062 for the NSPCC.

The event, which attracted about 90 guests, was held at United Reformed Church on Saturday and included a singer, a raffle and competitions.

It was the 12th year that friends of Grange-over-Sands (South Cumbria) NSPCC Fundraising Committee have organised the themed event.

The committee dressed as gondoliers and there was a competition to judge who had worn the best mask.

Shelia Tyson, chair of the committee, said: “It was fantastic. Everybody said it was a wonderful afternoon.

“People were very good in supporting us and we raised more than we have on any other year.”

All the money raised will go towards helping the children’s charity protect more children from abuse and neglect.

Last year, police in Cumbria recorded 547 sexual offences against children under the age of 16. Also in the county, during this period, 523 children were the subject of a child protection plan and there were 625 children in care.

The NSPCC runs a variety of services in Cumbria, including ones for young people who are at risk of, or are being, sexually abused. The charity also visits primary schools, talking to children about their right to be safe. In 2017/18, NSPCC volunteers and staff delivered Speak out Stay safe assemblies in 109 schools in Cumbria, reaching 15,209 children.