BURNLEY MP Kitty Ussher is leading a campaign for shops and cafes in the town to sell Fairtrade products.

Mrs Ussher has published a list of companies and organ-isations which have signed up to supplying the goods and is calling on others to follow suit so Burnley can call itself a Fairtrade town.

Mrs Ussher has secured commitments from Burnley College, Burnley and Pendle Travel and Calico Housing to serve Fairtrade produce.

And she is hopeful that Burnley Football Club and Burnley General Hospital will follow in their footsteps.

"This is in addition to 23 local community and faith groups and a number of the larger shops and supermarkets, including Stoops and Hargher Clough Community Association and the Central Church Coffee Bar," she said.

Padiham town council has declared its support, and Burnley Council will discuss the matter on April 24.

The campaign aims to develop support for the Fairtrade mark, the UK's only independent cons-umer label which guarantees a better deal for farmers in developing countries.

It ensures they receive an agreed and stable price for the crops they grow and an additional income to allow them to invest for a sustainablex future.

In order for Burnley to achieve Fairtrade Town status, certain criteria must be met, including the council passing a resolution supporting it, and serving Fairtrade coffee and tea at its meetings and in offices and canteens.

Fairtrade products must be used by a number of local workplaces and community organisations and at least two Fairtrade products must be available in 18 of the area's shops and served in nine cafés.

Mrs Ussher said: "To support and celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight I'm calling on our local community, particularly retail and catering establishments, to step up and join us in Burnley's bid to become a Fairtrade Town.

"With increasing dem-and for ethically traded products and large increases in sales of these products now is the time to commit to Fairtrade "The support from the people of Burnley for the Fairtrade Campaign is fantastico."

For further information on Fairtrade and to add your establishment to the Burnley Fairtrade List for the next publication contact Vicky Rees in the office of Kitty Ussher on 01282 450840, by post at 2 Victoria Street, Burnley, BB11 1DD, or by email at ussherk@parliament.uk