You would have imagined that the Americans could have taught the English a thing or two about tea parties.

However, parents in Orange County, California, are keen for their kids to learn the art of nibbling crustless cucumber sandwiches or holding their little pinkie just so while sipping tea, all in the allegedly English style. Tea parties are apparently the new way to turn American brats into little lords and ladies.

Ruth Davies-Brady is an English ex-pat who has set up a service aimed at teaching etiquette and English table manners to young children by holding tea parties. The classes - which involve DaviesBrady or her mother playing a role as "the duchess" - have proved very popular, especially with young girls.

Some parents have also been attending her adult etiquette classes. Learning to mind your Ps and Qs appears to be very popular: the business has doubled in size in the last year.