After the demise of Tupperware and the popularity of Ann Summers, Women's Editor Lindsay Jennings is invited to the latest home party craze - tanning.

THE nibbles are laid out on a trendy Perspex table in the cosy front room. David Gray croons invitingly on the stereo and our hostess, Louise Mitchell, is busy asking her guests what drinks they would like.

It is when you enter the kitchen, however, that it becomes apparent this is no ordinary party. Standing on the slate tiles near the back door is a black tent - where we're going to get ourselves a glowing tan.

Since the Tupperware party arrived in Britain in 1960, women have always enjoyed the intimacy and sociable aspect of home parties, whether they've been buying sexy underwear from Ann Summers hosts or make-up from Virgin Vie. Tupperware parties descended on middle England when women had little freedom and offered them the chance to have a good gossip and earn their own money. Forty-four years later the essence of those parties is essentially the same.

Certainly at Louise's Darlington home, the wine is flowing and the girls are enjoying a good gossip in the living room. Jayne Fairclough, 25, is carrying out tonight's tanning on behalf of BodyCare International, which incorporates The Tanning Shop, the UK's largest specialised retailer. The company approached Jayne, a personal trainer, with the idea of her taking tanning into the home. She has only been running the parties since August, but already demand is high.

"It takes a lot of the self-consciousness about tanning away, especially after a couple of drinks," says Jayne. "It's because you're with your friends. A group of girls can get together and it's a great atmosphere. It's taken off really well because I can come to them and it's a lot easier for the client. I think with anything now people are going into the home. We're looking at introducing it nationwide."

She invites the first lady to step forward. Party-goer Sue Parnaby duly jumps up from the sofa in her dressing gown and disappears into the kitchen and the portable black booth. She has on her underwear and a big smile. "What do I do now?" she asks.

Jayne instructs her to stand on the towel with her feet shoulder width apart. Sue has already been told not to wear any moisturising cream (it acts as a barrier to the tan); to come in loose, dark clothing, and to exfoliate before she arrives. Any leg waxing or eyebrow shaping, needs to be done 48 hours before she is sprayed.

The tan takes three to five minutes to apply and dries instantly so no-one has to wait around self consciously semi-naked before their clothes go back on. The California Tan sunless range, which Jayne uses, lasts from seven to 10 days. There are also other products which can be bought, such as tan extenders and bronzing creams.

Jayne switches on the machine which springs to life, sounding like an industrial vacuum cleaner. "I do warn people it is quite noisy," she says apologetically.

The nozzle on the gun containing the product she uses can be turned up or down, so the colour can be adapted for each client. The last thing she wants is for anyone to look like they've been "Tangoed".

Barrier cream is put around Sue's feet and ankles to stop any unsightly streaks. Then Jayne begins spraying. Up and down she goes, her hand steady, the product giving an even glow across Sue's body. Giggling, the girls peer around the kitchen door, clutching their drinks. Jayne grins at them, gun in hand.

"Arms forward," she bellows to Sue above the din.

When she has finished, Sue comes back into the living room and picks up her drink. The look is impressive. A light, golden glow without the streaky, orange look associated with some fake tans.

Sue, 43, of Yarm, was invited to the party by hostess Louise, her work colleague at a commercial vehicle hire firm in Stockton.

"I used to use sunbeds a lot but these days this is a far better way to tan," she says, pulling her dressing gown around her. "You get to the winter months and you're so pasty and this makes you look a lot healthier. It's a great way of going about it, getting together and having a gossip. You don't feel as self-conscious."

Louise's mum agrees. Diana Foster, 47, a nurse who lives near Northallerton, says: "I think it is quite personal and this way it's nice to be able to have it done in your own home. This way you can enjoy the experience as well. I definitely would have a party - it's just a move on from the Tupperware party."

Hostess Louise, 24, admits she was quite dubious at first, but after being introduced to the product at a friend's party she was more than happy with the results.

"It made me feel a lot healthier and a lot happier when I was getting ready to go out for the weekend," she smiles.

Louise changes the CD to Katie Melua and, ever the good party hostess, tops up everyone's wine. As she does, Jayne comes back into the living room.

"Next victim," she laughs.

* For more information or to book a party contact Jayne Fairclough on 07951 818055. The party hostess goes free and each party member pays £15 each. The minimum number is five.