Cup of cheer for tea bosses.

BOSSES of Newton-le-Willows-based Lancashire Tea are hailing 'people power' after customers rallied to a 'Save our Tea' campaign after supermarket giant Sainsbury's delisted the brand from its national chain.

Since the drive sales have increased by nearly 50% - and Sainsbury's has announced that it has relisted the brand across its national network again.

Lancashire Tea managing director Paul Needham said: "We're so grateful to all the customers who supported us during the campaign and are ecstatic with our fantastic increase in sales figures and national relisting.

"Sainsbury's has always flown the flag for small businesses, so the original delisting was a real surprise..

"We're an innovative and young beverage company with a truly quality product and are proud to be British, but without support and backing the brand could quickly lose its credibility." The firm was formed in 2006 and last November broke two Guinness Book of Records for creating the world's biggest tea bag and the world's biggest cup of tea..