WTIH children's favourite Paddington Bear enjoying a revival and appearing in cinemas all over the country, the announcement of Whichford's Marmalade Festival is particularly timely among the character's fans.

Conserve connoisseurs who love marmalade as much as Paddington will meet at St Michael's Church, on Saturday March 7, in the hope their sweet sensation will win over the judge.

This year's adjudicator is Tom Jaine, cookery writer and publisher and well as restaurateur and editor of the Good Food Guide. His books, notably The Book of Marmalade, will be on sale as will be a vast array of every type of marmalade to raise funds for Shipston Home Nursing and St Michael's Church.

The star prize in the raffle will be a marmalade dish which has been donated by Emma Bridgewater.

Entry for the marmalade-making competition is £5 and has to be registered by Thursday March 5. More details about the festival can be found on the Whichford parish website www.southwarwickshirechurches.co.uk, and from julia.melvin1@btinternet.com.