A NOSTALGIC 1940s-themed tea provided the perfect finish to the 15th Frinton Literary Festival.

The ladies of Frinton Womens Institute dressed for the occasion and looked glorious in their themed costumes as they served the tea at McGrigor Hall.

Acclaimed author Julie Summers, whose book Jambusters was made into the popular ITV series Home Fires, received a hearty welcome form the crowds present.

“As the author of 11 works of non-fiction, mostly based around the experiences of the nation during the Second World war, Julie proved to be a truly first-rate speaker, who amazed the full-house audience with her extensive historical knowledge,” said one of the festival organisers, Sally Johnson of Caxton Books and Gallery.

The event kicked off on Thursday with Crime and Wine featuring author Clare Mackintosh who spent 12 years in the police, which has helped her write best-selling crime novels. She was joined by David Thorne whose crime trilogy is based in Essex.

Friday saw Judith Miller from the Antiques Road Show promote her latest book on Art Deco architecture. Despite writing three acclaimed books on the subject, the celebrity admitted she had not previously heard of Oliver Hill’s Art Deco Frinton Park estate.

Nonetheless, an audience of more than 100 were thrilled by her anecdotes and she found time to give some valuations.

Other events included Saturday’s Philomena Dwyer Literary Lunch featuring novelist Rosie Thomas and her tales of trekking in Antarctica, Kashmir and Central Asia, which provide the backdrop to her hugely popular novels.

There was also a Children’s Poetry competition, which added to how the festival works with local schools and Tendring Technology College to bring literature to them. This year, this includes taking authors to class, such as Abi Elphinstone, Piers Torday and Emma Craigie.