The World’s Original Marmalade Award and Festival received a jar of marmalade all the way from Japan as a Valentines Day gift last week.

The heart-themed preserve was sent ‘in the hope that marmalade will connect everyone’s hearts’.

In normal times, the marmalade award body hosts an international competition which sees marmalades all over the world come to Dalemain Mansion in Cumbria.

The World’s Original Marmalade Award and Festival posted o Facebook: 'What a wonderful message - and what a beautiful marmalade! The peel is so carefully shaped, and looks almost too good to eat.'

The Marmalade Awards have taken place every year since 2005 and organisers refuse to let the coronavirus pandemic put a stop to the festivities.

Since January, entrants have been asked to send their jars of marmalade through the post as normal.

The results will be delayed until June to allow all entries to be judged safely.

Awards founder, Jane Hasell McCosh, said: "Since announcing that the Awards would return, we have had such a fantastic reaction from all over the world.

"People are thrilled to be able to participate in something creative after what has been such a difficult year."

The deadline for entries is 10 February.