ILMINSTER has officially been awarded Fairtrade Town status, becoming the first in south Somerset to do so.

It was proposed that Ilminster become a Fairtrade town in early 2014 and local businesses, schools, churches and people in Ilminster and the surrounding villages enthusiastically seized on the idea.

An application was made with the support of the town council to the Fairtrade organisation towards the end of the year and now official status has been achieved.

The public announcement of the award will be made at events in the town during Fairtrade Fortnight, which runs from Monday through to March 8, and a formal presentation will be made by the steering group to the Mayor and town councillors at the annual Ilminster Town Assembly on April 21.

Roger Gurner, chairman of Ilminster Fairtrade, said: “Fairtrade is mainly about ensuring that producers receive a fair and guaranteed price for their produce at all times, even if there are changes in the global markets that affect the price, whether they are in Britain or a developing country.

“But the other important part of Fairtrade is to ensure that the consumer gets to enjoy the wide and wonderful range of products that are now available under the Fairtrade label.

“Many of these products are already available in Ilminster.

Supermarkets stock more than 50 different Fairtrade items, including tea, coffee, wines, biscuits, cakes, juices, fresh fruit and vegetables, and the well-known chocolate.

“In other shops you will find Fairtrade cosmetics, household products, toys, clothing, furnishings and ornaments.

“Always remember to look for the Fairtrade label and if you can’t find it, ask the shopkeeper to stock it.

“There is a wider choice for Fairtrade shopping in Ilminster than you might have thought.”

For full details and up-to-date information visit ilminsterfairtrade.uk