BOLTON is the first town in Britain to be treated to hot tea - in CANS. Brooke Bond launched the new brew exclusively in Bolton yesterday, promising a taste to revive and refresh. And town tea lovers generally gave the cuppa-in-the-can the thumbs up when the BEN gave them a free sample.

"It's champion," said Jim McCann, 77, of Cameron Street, Bolton. "Just the job to warm me up on a cold day."

Brooke Bond decided to launch the PG Tips drink at newsagent Candy and Cards, Ashburner Street, because of strong links with the North-west - and Bolton folk's love of brews.

The tea - brewed cold and canned - is then heated to a ready-to-drink temperature in bright orange cabinets in shops.

Special polystyrene labels ensure the brew keeps warm, but doesn't burn people's hands.

Brooke Bond hope the tea, which costs 55p, and the rest of their new canned range - Red Mountain coffee and Choky hot chocolate - will make millions.

But a few people who tasted the tea at a special launch yesterday said they weren't too keen on the drink.

Bolton lollipop man Arthur Dawson said: "I don't go a bundle on the brew - I prefer the coffee."

But eight-year-old schoolgirl Stacey Lynch, trying out the 60p hot chocolate, said she was more than impressed. "It's great - really chocolatey and creamy," she said.

Shopper Bill Marsden, 63, sipping the sugared coffee which costs 60p, said he planned to be a regular buyer.

"It's nice to be able to buy something warm like this on a cold day," he said. And Herbert Eckersley, 73, of Little Hulton, said he was instantly partial to all three drinks. "This is good stuff," he said.

Brooke Bond plan to sell the drinks exclusively at Candy and Cards, near Moor Lane bus station, for a fortnight before gradually putting more heating cabinets in newsagents and garages throughout Greater Manchester.

A company spokesman said: "The plan is for the whole country to have the cans within two years."

But Candy and Cards owner Mav Halai said sales of the drink, which takes three hours to heat, were already going crazy.

He told the BEN: "People were coming to buy it even before the official launch. We're honoured to be the very first shop in the country to stock this."

The 190ml tea and coffee drinks - about two thirds the size of an average soft drink can - are white and and available with or without sugar. Brooke Bond, founded in Manchester in 1869, have also donated vouchers to Bolton's 130 lollipop ladies allowing them to sample the full range of cans for free.

"I like the tea because it's not too strong and the hot chocolate is just lovely," said lollipop lady Norma Edmundson, of Harwood, Bolton.

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