Like many bed and breakfasts, five star Swan House in Hastings’ old town prides itself in preparing and serving it’s very own marmalade.

It makes all the difference to discerning guests and can now well and truly celebrate as Swan House wins not one, but two prizes, at the World’s Original Marmalade Awards.

In the hotel, B&B and restaurant category, Swan House was awarded bronze for its thick cut Seville Orange Marmalade, in addition to a commendation for its Whisky Marmalade.

Co-owner Brendan McDonagh, whose idea it was to enter the awards explained: “Guests constantly tell us how much they adore our marmalade. I thought , let’s pop a toe in the water and we’re delighted we entered! We may not have got best in show, but to come away with a bronze AND commendation has us all head over heels”.

Co-owner Lionel Copley said: “Our marmalade maker extraordinaire, Christine Warrington, is particularly delighted with the news. We are sure to have even more guests beating a ‘pith’ to our door as we all know marmalade makes the world go ‘rind’…”.

In its 15th year and with over 3,000 entries from 40 countries the 2020 World Marmalade Awards and Festival, sponsored by Fortnum & Mason, would normally have taken place on March 14th and 15th at Dalemain Mansion, Cumbria, but has been postponed until later in 2020 as contestants come from all over the world.

Participants pay to submit their entries to the competition, the proceeds of which go to Hospice at Home or a palliative care charity of the entrant’s choice. To date, more than a £250,000 has been raised for such worthy causes.