Preserved Cherries In Port

These are beautiful with pancakes or just as a tasty garnish for a Christmas dessert.I got this recipe from here, but altered it a very little bit.

Ingredients
-1 cup water
-3/4 cup caster sugar
-2 star anise
-2 peppercorns
-1/2 a vanilla bean
-1 large strip of orange rind
-700g fresh cherries, pitted
-250ml port (you can get it from the supermarket and it isn’t expensive)

Method
-Wash and carefully pour boiling water over a one-litre preserving jar. Drain.
-Put all ingredients except the port and cherries in a saucepan and cook until the sugar is dissolved.
-Bring to the boil and add the cherries, then simmer until the cherries are slightly soft.
-Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cherries and the spices to the preserving jar.
-Bring the syrup to the boil and cook at a high heat until the syrup is thick. Then add the port. Pour the syrup over the cherries in the preserving jar and seal tightly.
-Turn your jars upside down for 2 minutes and then set aside to cool. Label and store in the fridge for up to a month.