A WOMAN is doing her bit to help the Newport Eisteddfod out of a sticky financial situation - by making jam!

Sprightly Glenys Dean, 73, has already stirred up more than 700 pots of jam, marmalade and lemon curd, and is planning to make at least another 300 jars.

All money from the sale of her preserves is going towards Eisteddfod coffers.

Mrs Dean has put a price of £1 a pot on her jams and is selling it as fast as she can make it.

When it is all sold, she will single-handedly have raised more than £1,000 for the Eisteddfod - with a little help from the "best jam-pot washer in the world" - her husband, Derrick.

Mrs Dean says she is simply doing her bit to help, as a Welsh woman, a childhood member of the Urdd and supporter of the Eisteddfod.

The mother of three, who also has six granddaughters, began making jam five years ago, when her daughter had a damson tree that was over-fruiting.

She then made 200lb of jam, which was given to the local Leonard Cheshire home.

Now she is helping the Hengoed and Ystrad Mynach Eisteddfod Appeal Group in its fundraising efforts.

She has several excellent customers - including a mixed choir in Cardiff, which is competing in the Eisteddfod - who have bought dozens of jars.

"I don't think they do much else, except eat my marmalade!" she said.

Members of the sisterhood at Bethel Chapel in Caerphilly - where Mrs Dean, who lives in Hengoed, is a deacon - have also proved enthusiastic jam-eaters.

"The main thing you need to make jam is time," she said.

"It is quicker because of microwaves, and I have a nice big jam pot and lots of support from my husband with the washing up. You can make a nice lot during an afternoon."

She added: "I wanted to help because I'm Welsh. I lived in England for a long time but I don't forget my Welshness, and the Eisteddfod is a very worthwhile organisation.

"I am no harpist! So this is my little bit."