And to finish? British puds on course for a sticky end, warns English Heritage

At the end of the 17th century, a French travel writer who crossed the Channel was clearly impressed by the sweet, comforting treats offered to him, declaring: "Ah! What an excellent thing is an English pudding!"

- Steven Morris

More than three centuries on, English Heritage has sounded the alarm that the good old British pudding is facing extinction.

Research from the charity suggests two-thirds of households in England, Wales and Scotland make puddings only once a month or less, while a third never bake, boil or steam one.

It warned that if nothing was done to stem the tide, the great British pudding will not exist in 50 years.

Dr Andrew Hann, a senior curator of history at English Heritage, said: "Sweet puddings are closely intertwined with British history and it would be a huge shame for them to die out."