A RIBBLE Valley town is on course to declaring itself 'Fairtrade' friendly after councillors approved plans to support a scheme which aims to eradicate global poverty.

Clitheroe Town Council is to start working towards gaining 'fairtrade town' status and will be only the second town in Lancashire to achieve the honour. Garstang, near Preston, has already collected the award.

The Fairtrade organisation works globally to lend its name to items for which people producing the ingredients or parts of have been paid a fair price, determined locally.

Manufacturers must also prove that goods have not been produced in slave labour conditions.

Local Fairtrade organiser Joe Harding told the town council there were several stages towards achieving Fairtrade status.

The authority must Fairtrade goods at every opportunity -- such as coffee, tea and biscuits -- and participate in a public meeting which will urge organisations to use Fairtrade goods and shops to stock them.

Mr Harding, who runs a book shop in the town, said: "A town the size of Clitheroe will probably need two cafes and around 10 organisations using Fairtrade goods before the award is given and I think we are well on our way to achieving that.

"Several churches already use these goods and we hope the public meeting will encourage more organisations to start using them.

"There is a lot of scope for shops to sell Fairtrade goods. There are a lot more products than people think, for example jewellery."

Coun Mary Robinson said: "I am delighted the town council is working towards this. It is especially important in Clitheroe because Fairtrade also supports British farmers, and we should do all we can to help them."

Pendle has 'Fairtrade' borough status, while Hyndburn is working towards it.