PENDLE could become East Lancashire's first Fairtrade zone. A resolution to support the scheme has been put to Pendle Council.

If it is passed, that would be the first of five steps set out by the Fairtrade Foundation which towns or cities need to take on the way to becoming a Fairtrade area.

Councillors are now set to discuss whether to establish Pendle as a fully-fledged Fairtrade zone in the next few months.

The Fairtrade Foundation was set up in 1992 to tackle poverty in third world countries by enabling disadvantaged producers of goods like coffee and chocolate to get a better deal by selling them in first world countries.

It was formed by a group of non-governmental organisations including Oxfam, Trade Craft, Christian Aid, the World Development Movement and CAFOD and started to operate in March 1994.

The foundation, based in Holborn in London, licenses companies to use the Fairtrade market and puts producers in direct contact with buyers.

If Pendle is to become the region's first Fairtrade zone - Garstang was the country's first Fairtrade town - then it will have to satisfy the five criteria laid down by the Fairtrade Foundation.

Pass a resolution supporting the aims of Fairtrade, including serving Fairtrade tea and coffee at all council meetings

Ensure a range of Fairtrade products are available in local shops and served in at least two cafes and restaurants

Ensure Fairtrade products are used by at least ten local businesses

Attract media support

Set up a local Fairtrade steering group to ensure long-term commitment to the Fairtrade status.

Other optional measures include setting up street signs declaring the zone as a Fairtrade area, producing a directory telling people where products can be bought and organising educational campaigns to tell people about the aims of the foundation.

Jo Belbin, chairman of the sustainability working group, arranged for a presentation on Fairtrade towns at the group's March meeting and the overview and scrutiny management committee has recommended the proposal to the executive on its behalf.

She said: "I think it's the way forward. I think we need to be able to encourage people to buy these products."