12 ounces plain flour

1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

2 teaspoons ground ginger

4 tablespoons golden syrup

4 ounces butter

6 ounces soft brown sugar

1 egg -- beaten

currants--to decorate.

Grease three baking sheets. Sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda and ginger into a bowl. Rub the butter into the flour until the mixture looks like fine crumbs. Stir in the sugar. Beat the syrup into the egg and stir into the bowl. Mix to form a dough and knead until smooth. Divide into two and roll out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 in. thick. Using a gingerbread man cutter, cut out figures and place them on the baking sheets. decorate with currants. Bake in the oven at 375 F for 12-15 minutes until golden. Cool slightly then places on a wire rack.