THE Archbishop of York has invited York residents to take "tea at three" to support St Leonard's Hospice.

Hospices throughout the country will be holding tea parties at 3pm on Friday, June 18, as part of the month-long Hospice Care Campaign.

Dr David Hope, president of St Leonard's, is encouraging hospice supporters to hold their own tea parties to boost hospice funds.

Helmsley-based Thomas The Baker has invented a sunflower shortbread biscuit to sell at its shops throughout the month. Five pence from the sale of each 45p biscuit will help St Leonard's Hospice, St Catherine's Hospice in Scarborough, St Michael's Hospice in Harrogate and Teesside Hospice in Middlesbrough.

Martyn Callaghan, chief executive of St Leonard's, said he hoped lots of people would hold tea parties and serve sunflower biscuits.

He said: "We are delighted that Dr Hope is backing our Tea At Three campaign, and that Thomas The Baker has produced this special biscuit which will raise funds for all four local hospices to help with our work of caring for local people."

Updated: 09:53 Saturday, May 15, 2004