THE World's Original Marmalade Awards, held at stately home Dalemain, near Ullswater, has raised more than £22,000 for hospice care this year.

The charity Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland was given a cheque for £18,140 raised by the home-made marmalade awards this year - taking the total raised to £22,234.08.

Proceeds from the competition have also helped more than 40 other hospice charities around the country this year. Since the marmalade awards began in 2005, Dalemain has raised nearly £250,000 for palliative care both in the UK and abroad.

Dr Alison Miles, chair of trustees at Hospice at Home, said everyone at the charity was grateful to the awards founder, Jane Hasell-McCosh, and the team at Dalemain for their long-standing support.

"Each year the iconic marmalade festival raises significant funds for palliative care, of which Hospice at Home has gratefully been the main beneficiary," said Dr Miles.

"It is with thanks to this magnificent level of generosity and support that Hospice at Home can continue to provide vital hospice care free of charge to patients and their families, making a huge difference in our local community.”

Mrs Hasell-McCosh said: "We are so delighted the awards have raised such a huge amount of money in 2018. It is all thanks to our fantastic team of volunteers and supporters, who are so dedicated and work so tirelessly to make the awards and festival such a success every year.

"Special thanks must be given to the Penrith Lions, who managed the parking for the 2018 festival and kindly donated their fee to Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland. We hope to raise even more for hospice care in 2019, and look forward to another wonderful year of marmalade making."

The 2019 festival will see around £2,000 given to the charity from exclusive London grocer Fortnum & Mason from sales of the 2018 winning marmalade - a zingy grapefruit and gin recipe made by Janice Miners, of Cornwall.

The competition is now open for 2019's awards, at Dalemain on Saturday, March 16. Organisers are hoping for a record number of jars and the entry deadline is Friday, February 8.

For more, see www.marmaladeawards.com