Marmalade entries show 'wonderful creativity'

Entries have begun flooding in from around the world for an annual festival celebrating Paddington Bear's favourite sandwich filling.

The Dalemain World Marmalade Awards are held at a Lake District country house in April.

As well UK entrants, jars of the preserve have come from Norway, Australia, Japan and Germany.

Organisers said there has already been some "wonderful creativity" when it comes to ingredients.

As in previous years, there are a number of competition categories including artisan and savoury.

A new one for 2025 is Twenty Years of Marmalade, allowing any of the 300 or so category winners from the last 20 years to battle it out.

Beatrice Hasell-McCosh, the festival's director, said: "Already the creativity of ingredients from early entries is wonderful.

"Those in hot climates are able to grown their own citrus [but] there are strong entries from the UK including herbs and spices.

"Root veg are always popular additions, as are wild and weird flavours such as seaweed or smoked garlic."

The deadline for posted entries is 3 February, or they can also be deposited at a variety of collection points before 24 January.

Judging will take place at the festival on 26 April.

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