Once, no self-respecting cake stand or plate was complete without one. But now the traditional paper doily, for decades a symbol of suburban gentility, is on the verge of extinction. Asda reported ...

Some of the paper flowers created by Marianne Eriksen Scott-Hansen are as large as five feet across.

And now the traditional paper doily – the ultimate symbol of gentility – is back. One popular kitchenware store has sold more than 17million of the decorative placemats since 2003.