A seaside tea room has landed the award for the best brew in Britain for the second time.

Bob and Judy Poole, who run the Trenance Cottage Tea Room in Newquay, Cornwall, won The Tea Guild's top accolade in 2001 too.

The Pooles beat 130 other establishments, winning top marks in nearly all categories set by the Tea Guild's team of mystery tea tasters.

The tasters, who travelled through the UK in April and May in search of the perfect cuppa, judged competitors on the tea's flavour, strength and temperature, as well as the staff's attitude and knowledge.

The British love a good cuppa - drinking a staggering 165 million cups of tea every day

Bill Gorman, The Tea Council

Former builder Bob Poole said he and his wife Judy were amazed they won two years in succession.

"It makes it all worthwhile," he said.

"People said it would never work, but we proved them wrong."

Mrs Poole said she thought the secret of the tea room's success was her husband's attention to detail.

"That and the fact we just make a good pot of tea," she said.

"Tea is having a resurgence in fashion at the moment."

The tea room can seat 120 people and employs up to 16 staff in the summer tourist season.

After last year's win, the Poole's sales rocketed by 400% during the summer - but they say they also have a steady and loyal local trade too.

The executive director of the Tea Council, Bill Gorman, said the Trenance "shone through" with their high standard of service.

He said: "The British love a good cuppa - drinking a staggering 165 million cups of tea every day.

"The Tea Council believes the Top Tea Place competition can boost the tourist industry - as Bob and Judy Poole showed last summer - and help the nation achieve the perfect brew."