Were you a Nippy? They nipped here and they nipped there, in fact the Nippies were a legend in their own lunchtime and now a Winchester hotel would like to hear from the former Lyons waitresses as afternoon tea makes a comeback.

The Nippies, in their black uniforms with red buttons, white collar, a small apron, starched cuffs and a ready smile, became an institution as they served tea and cakes in the Lyons Corner Houses between the 1930s and the 1950s.

Beginning in the late 1880s, a J.Lyons waitress was called a "Gladys'' but, as of 1926 the term Nippy came into use, inspired by the quick, niplike motions involved in making and serving in a crowded restaurant.

Now the clink of china cup against saucer, cucumber sandwiches and fresh-baked scones is being experienced again as the genteel pastime enjoys a major revival.

Winchester's Macdonald Wessex Hotel in Paternoster Row, which is now serving a full traditional English tea to meet a surge in demand from customers of all ages, is on the hunt for former nippies to share their memories and tips from the past.

The smartly dressed teams of women, who sped nimbly round the famous establishments, dispensed scones and steaming cuppas to millions in the days when tea rooms were a fixture in every high street.

Southampton's last Lyons restaurant, which once stood in Above Bar not far from the Bargate, closed in 1975, although it could trace earlier times back before the Second World War.

The Nippies worked in shifts and although the salary was small there was a chance to earn commission of sixpence in the pound at weekends and twoppence the rest of the week.

One Saturday during the war the Nippies were told they could go early in case the German bombers came but before the restaurant could close the enemy came and they had to take shelter in the cellar.

When the raid was over the shop was still standing but both sides of the High Street were in flames. Later the Nippies took cooking items down in the cellar and made soup and food to feed the firemen who were fighting the blazing buildings.

The Southampton shop also sold cakes such as Bath buns, Lyons' swiss rolls, fruit pies, Madeira and Kennington cakes.

If you were a Nippy then we would like to hear from you. Email Keith Hamilton using the link above and include your name, address and phone number.