CREDITON Fairtrade Partnership is delighted to announce that Crediton has been assessed and granted renewed status as a Fairtrade Town - until September 2011.

Hannah Reed, campaign co-ordinator, Fairtrade Towns, told the Partnership: "It is our very great pleasure to confirm that Crediton has successfully renewed Fairtrade Town status. Congratulations!

"The phenomenal growth and activity of Fairtrade Towns like yours has played a huge part in increasing understanding of Fairtrade and sales of products with the FAIRTRADE Mark.

"Thanks to the work of groups like the Crediton Fairtrade Partnership, sales of Fairtrade products in the UK alone reached almost half a billion pounds in 2007 and over seven million people – producers, workers and their families – are now able to benefit from Fairtrade.

"It is clear that your Fairtrade campaign has continued to go forward in Crediton and that a great deal of hard work has gone in to promoting Fairtrade and increasing understanding of why Fairtrade is so important.

"We were particularly impressed by the increase in the number of retail and catering outlets selling Fairtrade products.

"We appreciate the time and energy involved in running a campaign such as this and would like to thank everyone who has played a part in taking Fairtrade in Crediton Town from strength to strength.

"Many thanks once again for all you are doing to promote Fairtrade and support farmers in developing countries."

Laura Conyngham, a member of the Crediton Fairtrade Partnership, said the approval was "fantastic".

She added: "It shows what sort of town Crediton is. It shows Crediton has ethics and responsibilities."

Laura thanked the Partnership members and especially Crediton Town Council for its support.

She added that the approval would help with Devon's bid to become a Fairtrade county.

Laura said she would like the decision to be recognised with a Fairtrade Town sign at the entrances to the town.

Crediton Fairtrade Partnership meets every two months and would welcome new members.

Anyone interested is invited to find out more by contacting Laura on 01363 773000.

Fairtrade Fortnight will take place from February 22 to March 7 and tea is the main focus this year.

The aim is to ask the five main tea providers in the world to sign up to Fairtrade and events will be held, including tea parties and "Big Brews" to highlight this.

Currently only 10 per cent of tea sales in the UK are Fairtrade.

As part of the Fairtrade Fortnight, Devon County Council will be concentrating on chocolate and it is organising for a chocolate producer, Nicholas Adjei-Gyan from Kuapa Kukoo, Ghana, to visit Crediton.

Mr Adjei-Gyan will visit both Hayward's and Landscore Primary Schools.

Alan Quick