DRINKING tea out of a mug is like drinking champagne out of a peanut butter jar according to Betty Bracey.

The spirited woman aged in her 80s recently donated her collection of fine china to Dabelles Cafe in Murwillumbah where it is used once a month for high tea.

“Some pieces were gifts and some I'd bought when I was 17, 18, 19 which was 100 years ago,” Mrs Bracey joked.

“It had been stored, locked in a cupboard where nobody could see it for over 40 years.

“I'm thrilled to know it's being used. Every so often you see a social photo in the paper and I say ‘that's one of mine'; it makes you feel good.”

Mrs Bracey retired from a career as a hotel manager 25 years ago and is kept busy by her current roles as the treasurer and social secretary of War Widows and work with the Laural Club, where she became friends with Joyce O'Connor, mother of cafe owner Debbie Lowe.

Mrs O'Connor and her daughter had been scouring garage sales and second hand shops for the china treasures.

“We were having a cuppa one day and I mentioned that Debbie was on the hunt for it and showed her one she had bought and Betty said ‘I've got a stack of it',” Mrs O'Connor said.

The cafe owner is proud of her collection of Royal Doulton, Wedgewood, Noritake, Shelley, Royal Albert and Minton, but is not too protective.

“It's wonderful to have a collection like this. All up it would have cost thousands and thousands to buy,” Ms Lowe said.

“Yes we get frightened that a piece may be broken, but then you think at least it's being used for its intended purpose.”

High Tea is held on the last Saturday of each month. For more information phone 02 6672 7711.