BURNLEY folk can help tackle global poverty by paying a little more for tea and coffee and supporting church and charity work, the town's MP said this week.

Peter Pike wants his constituents to play their part in the government's plan to give the world's most deprived people a decent standard of living.

He said shoppers should buy goods which have been produced by people who get a fair wage for their work.

And he voiced a warning about the consequences of ignoring third-world poverty.

"Poverty creates instability, war and environmental degradation," said Mr Pike. "If we do not act together then the world that we leave our children will be dangerous and unsustainable.

"I have always placed these issues high on my agenda. I have seen poverty and deprivation in many parts of the world and I know these problems can be solved.

"Everyone can play their part. It is not just a moral duty but is also in the interests of people in Burnley to do so.

Overseas aid minister Clare Short has said she wants to halve the proportion of people in absolute poverty by 2015.

Mr Pike said: "We can help achieve this aim by buying fairly traded tea and coffee, supporting the work of churches and community groups and supporting campaigns to end child labour."

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