But there was more tea than anarchy when the steampunks blew into Hunstanton – for a biscuit dunking contest.

So-called tea duels have become synonymous with the movement, inspired by Jules Verne novels and Victorian technology.

Richard Bibb (left) and John Wood go head to head in a tea duel under the watchful eye of tiffin mistress Libby Wood (Image: Chris Bishop)

When the gloves come off and the malted milks come out, things take a decidedly sedate turn.

King’s Lynn Steampunk Society, which has more than 400 followers on Facebook, staged a demonstration match at Georgies Cafe in Hunstanton as the town was gearing up for its Christmas light switch-on.

Waitresses bustled in and out of the smart High Street eaterie on Sunday, as tiffin mistress Libby Wood donned her red robe to oversee proceedings.

Steampunks tea duelling in Hunstanton (Image: Chris Bishop)

“The last person whose biscuit collapses is the winner,” explained steampunk Deborah Bibb.

“You’ve got to eat it after the other person without your biscuit collapsing. It’s not as complicated as it sounds – if your biscuit collapses, you lose.”

Mrs Wood dismissed suggestions the sport was a little on the tame side.

“We can be fairly rebellious,” she said. “We like a sip of gin from time to time.”

Richard Bibb concentrates intensely on his malted milk as he wills it not to collapse …