RETAILERS in Pendle are being asked to let the council know if they sell any Fairtrade products in its bid to secure Fairtrade status for the borough.

The council is hoping to identify at least 18 local cafes and catering outlets which sell such products in order for it to work towards securing Fairtrade status from The Fairtrade Foundation.

This would make Pendle the first Fairtrade borough in the country.

The Fairtrade Foundation aims to tackle poverty by enabling disadvantaged producers from poor countries to receive a better deal through encouraging support for the Fairtrade Mark.

Pendle Council has recently passed a resolution supporting Fairtrade and, as part of this, Fairtrade coffee and tea will be served at council meetings in future.

This is one of five goals for Pendle to become a Fairtrade Borough.

The others are:

a range of at least two Fairtrade products being readily available in 18 shops

Fairtrade products being used by a number of local workplaces, such as estate agents and hairdressers, and community organisations, such as churches and schools

media coverage and popular support being attracted for the campaign

A local Fairtrade Steering Group being set up to ensure continued commitment to its Fairtrade Town Status

So far, the following have been identified as selling Fairtrade products: Asda, Morrisons, The Co-op in Colne, Earby, Barnoldswick and Brierfield, Barrowford Methodist Church, St Luke's Church in Brierfield, Supafruits, in Lambert's Market, Nelson, and Fisher More High School.

Jane Wright, of Pendle Council's corporate policy unit, said: "A local Fairtrade Steering Group has been established and has met once. If anyone would like to assist with the work to establish Pendle as the first Fairtrade Borough I would be happy to talk to them."

Retailers who sell Fairtrade products are asked to let Jane know at jane.wright@pendle. gov.uk or by ringing her on 01282 661988.