It might not be your cup of tea, a bikini-clad waitress serving up your favourite brew.

But, as revealed yesterday in the T&A, Taiwanese cafe owners are using bikini-clad models to boost their trade in a flagging economy.

And models are also making their debut in London's caf society as well, as American company Hooters uses nubile girls to lure the punters into its cafes all over the world, with latest opening its doors in the capital this week.

But would the saucy servers entice the people of Bradford?

John Stephenson, owner of Drake's tea rooms in Bradford's city centre, let model Emma Padfield put the tasty tea-room treat to the test.

Arthur Cornell, 82, of Huddersfield, above, said: "It wouldn't worry me at all. But there are a minority, the Mary Whitehouses, who would probably be quite offended."

Pat Oakes, 65, of Cleckheaton, and her pal Mary Kruczenyk, 66, of Dewsbury, were not so impressed and said it wouldn't get them in a coffee house.

But Pat added: "If there were young men serving then that might be better."

Those in the trade were more reserved.

Hilary Stammers, manager of Betty's in Ilkley, said: "We hire our staff based on their personalities and ability - not just their looks.

"I can't really see our waiters or mature lady waiters being press-ganged into wearing next to nothing, especially in this weather."

Alan Jolliffe, owner of the Bronte Tea Shop in Thornton said: "I don't think dolly birds with bikinis is quite right for a traditional, old-fashioned tea room like ourselves."

So for the moment it seems the only hot stuff you'll find in Bradford's tea rooms will be the muffins!

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.