Cornish gardens bag tea cash

It is hoped the first crop will be plucked in 2005

A Cornish family has taken the pioneering step of planting a commercial tea garden on its estate.

Tea plants were first cultivated three years ago on a small scale at Tregothnan, one of the largest historic gardens in England.

Now the plantation is being extended to several hectares and the sale of the whole crop is being negotiated with selected London tea connoisseurs.

The estate has been home to the Boscawen family since 1300 and the tea plant camellia was first grown outdoors there more than 100 years ago.

Money from Brussels is paying for a feasibility study and to train staff.

The project will look at ways to exploit the opportunities for the development and marketing of specialist teas and ornamental tea plants.