Tea helps county to go Fairtrade

Herefordshire has become the first county in the Midlands to be awarded Fairtrade status.

The county becomes the third in England to be given the status by the Fairtrade Foundation, which aims to help Third World countries get out of debt.

It had to fulfill five criteria including serving Fairtrade tea and coffee at its council meetings.

Hereford City, Leominster and Ledbury in the county have already become Fairtrade towns.

The participation of schools, businesses and churches also helped the council win the Fairtrade status.

"I am really proud of this award," said Councillor Mike Wilson, Cabinet Member for Resources at Herefordshire Council.

"This is a great effort by the council, local businesses and the wider community, and shows how concerted partnership working can make a real difference, not just in the local community but to people in the developing world."