Marmalade lovers head for The Lakes

Paddington Bear has been lined up as frontman for a two-day Lake District celebration of his favourite condiment: marmalade. Dalemain Mansion, near Penrith, is hosting the World's Original Marmalade Awards (March 1-2) for the ninth successive year.

Entrants from all over Britain, as well as Australia, Mexico, Spain, Japan, Slovakia and the Philippines, will be competing in professional and amateur categories in 2013, the judges sampled almost 2,000 jars.

It can lead to great things: retired Sussex microbiologist Dr Yen-Chung Chong, a winner last year, has since had his blood-orange-and-vodka creation stocked by Fortnum & Mason.

This year, there will be demonstrations and workshops, a farmer's market, steamer cruises on Ullswater and ‘Paddington Bear' readings-plus lashings of marmalade samples.

Visit www.dalemainmarmaladeawards.co.uk 

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