A LITTLE bit of Marlborough is heading to the Far East for an event celebrating the best of British traditions.

The organisers of the British Fair in Japan plan to build a replica of the town's famous Polly Tea Rooms, with waitresses dressed in Polly's iconic uniforms serving cream teas to customers.

Representatives from the Hankyu British Fair have made the 6,000-mile journey to Marlborough to visit the tea rooms and learn more about the British love of cream teas.

And tea rooms manager Steph Gibb is flying to Japan to run the tea rooms at the show, give demonstrations and make sure organisers get the experience just right.

Ann Clarke, who owns Polly Tea Rooms and has lived in Marlborough for more than 30 years, said: “They came to take photos of the whole place and their plan is to replicate it inside a department store in Japan.

“They have specially imported the actual strawberry jam we use and the tea bags, which are produced by a company on the south coast, to provide an authentic experience. We even divulged our secret recipe.”

Tea rooms manager Steph Gibb, 24, who has been working at the cafe since the age of 14, said: “I am excited to go out there and represent the company. I will be doing demonstrations, showing them how we make our scones and a bit of what goes on behind the scene at Polly’s.

“I think it will be a great experience.”

Half a million people are expected to attend the week-long event at department stores on both the North and South islands of Japan.

Stalls at the fair will include a fish and chips stand but the star attraction is the great British Tea Rooms, which has previously hosted Fortnum & Mason and The Dorchester.