A ward for elderly women in Basildon has created a 1950s tea room to help give better care for people suffering dementia.

Staff at the Lionel Cosin ward celebrated the opening of the classic tea room, complete with china crockery, a retro radio and the scents of a 1950s kitchen.

The new space was opened by the former matron, Karen Fashanu who had retired earlier this year.

She said: “It was lovely to be invited back and to see the hard work that has gone into developing this beautiful tea room for our patients.”

Patients were invited to view the new tearoom which is expected to be used for group therapy and activity sessions.

It is also hoped the new space will encourage more patients out of bed and give them a communal space to eat and to enjoy time with family and visitors.