A Hitchin tea room turned red, white and blue last week, but not for the colours of the Union jack.

Molly’s Tea Room in Bancroft celebrated Bastille Day this month.

The 1940’ styled business was decorated in the colours of the French flag to celebrate its national day.

Staff wore traditional French clothing including the famous beret, with cakes and savoury dishes inspired by the country available for hungry customers.

Bastille Day marks the storming of the Bastille prison on July 14, 1789, by angry Parisian crowds during the French Revolution and was seen as a turning point in overthrowing the French monarchy.

Molly said: “The origin of the celebration can be traced back to an 1878 feast in the capital Paris, immortalised by Claude Monet in his painting ‘Rue Montorgueil’.

“There is now a military parade held every year – and although there was no such parade in Bancroft, Molly’s Tea Room certainly put on a feast worth of the celebration!”