THOUSANDS of people from 30 countries sent their jars of preserves to the 12th annual World's Original Marmalade Awards and Festival.

Condiment-makers from as far afield as Lebanon and Columbia were welcomed to the Dalemain Mansion, near Penrith, last weekend.

“It has been wonderful to see how people’s love of marmalade has created a passionate community all around the world," said Jane Hasell-McCosh, founder of the awards. "It has been a great honour and joy to welcome so many marmalade makers to my home in Cumbria in celebration of such a well-loved preserve.”

The Marmalade Awards were founded in 2005 to help to preserve, grow and widen one of the most British of customs – marmalade making.

Despite almost 2,000 entries for the homemade category this year, Scotland is still at the top of the game, with Shona Leckie, from Angus, scooping the first prize.

Her treacle marmalade will be produced and sold by Fortnum & Mason, with 50p from each jar going to charity.

One of the winners from South Lakeland was writer, politician Roger Bingham who won the establishment category with classic orange marmalade .

"I was very pleased to win, because I am not normally involved with making things," Mr Bingham said. "The more I make marmalade, the more I like it."

Mr Bingham became involved with marmalade-making eight years ago when Mrs Hasell-McCosh was seeking a way to support the Hospice at Home charity.

"I had never made marmalade in my life," he said. "I just wanted to support a worthy charitable cause, which helps people in their last days."

This year’s key beneficiaries included Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakes and Marie Curie Scotland, and to date the awards have raised more than £200,000 for charity.

Mr Bingham, who made his winning marmalade out of Seville oranges that he bought from Grisedale Fruit and Veg at Milnthorpe, said: "Marmalade is not just a spread, as it can be used for many other things. For example, I just used some of the marmalade I had made for a chicken sauce."