BURNLEY teenagers have been praised for running a Fairtrade shop on their college campus, And as a reward they met the Secretary of State for International Development to talk about the project.

Hameldon Community College was one of five northern schools to be recognised at a special event held at the Co-operative College in Manchester.

A team of 10 year-nine students from the Byron Street school travelled to meet Douglas Alexander MP.

Nicola Tootle, specialist school co-ordinator, said "Hameldon Community College strongly supports Fairtrade and the team of students have worked really hard to set up and run a successful Fairtrade shop within the college.

"Not only does it give them a taste of business, but the profits made are donated to Fairtrade projects across the world as voted for by the students themselves."

The shop sells a range of Fairtrade products inclu-ding tea, coffee, fruit and cereal bars, fruit juice, cards and gifts.

The students chatted to Mr Alexander about their work and discussed ideas as to how to further promote support for international development.

Hameldon has a series of events planned for Fair-trade Fortnight, which runs until March 9, and has trained a number of student Fairtrade Ambassadors who have spoken in assemblies and classes in Burnley primary schools.

The school is a lead partner in the Burnley and Padiham Fairtrade Steering Group and it is hoped that the school will achieve Fairtrade Status soon.

The Fairtrade Mark is a consumer label which appears on products as an independent guarantee that disadvantaged producers in the developing world are getting a better deal.