KINGS HEAD IN MILITARY-STYLE OPERATION TO COMPLETE RACE AGAINST TIME FOR 75th EVENT

KINGS Head landlady Marie O'Brien has her daughter to thank for a race against time to provide Atherstone and beyond with an "at home" traditional afternoon tea celebration on VE75 day.

On Sunday hairdresser Kim posted a "how do you fancy" hamper boxes conversation starter on the Atherstone People's Forum.

No sooner said than the Old Watling Street pub – currently providing a five-day-a-week takeaway and delivery service during Covid-closedown – found itself besieged by requests with a proviso: Can you have them ready for Friday to toast our World War Two national heroes?

Marie, along with her partner and joint landlord Shayne Morris, got cracking on the contents – coming up with a scrumptious selection of homemade finger sandwiches, scones with cream and jam, strawberries, macaroons, Eaton Mess, shortbread, chocolate brownie, cupcakes and English tea bags.

To wash the goodies down while saving a drop for the national toast at 3pm, a bottle of Prosecco could be added.

The pub hosts were left with a military-style operation on their hands to meet the requests which were upped from an original orders ceiling of 125 to 220 hampers – half of which are being delivered to those shielding or self-isolating. Requests have come from as far as Sutton Coldfield and Nuneaton.

Yesterday and today Kim and Shane have been out with the deliveries.

Marie said she had been "overwhelmed" by the response, adding: "I would like to say a massive thank you for all our support for afternoon tea boxes."

The popular canalside pub – which normally offers nine tables inside and enough seating to feed 150 outside – is providing a Wednesdays to Sunday takeaway service with a varied menu from burgers through to Sunday lunches. To place orders for collection or deliveries, call 01827 712078.

Another highlight of the day will be a BBC One broadcast with extracts from wartime prime minister Winston Churchill's victory speech to the nation announcing the end of the war in Europe.