ALEX James, former rock star now turned farmer, brought a cool message to a Fairtrade fair in Witney.

The ex-bassist of Blur was the celebrity guest in the town's Langdale Hall, where hundreds of supporters and customers came to sample and buy products from across the globe.

The event on Saturday was organised by Witney Area Fair Trade Action Group (Waftag), whose spokesman said more than £3,500 was spent. She said: "It was hugely successful.

"By having Alex here we hope we have shown that buying Fairtrade is the right thing to do."

Mr James, who has a farm near Kingham, is soon to visit Burkina Faso in west Africa with the charity Christian Aid.

He presented prizes to winners of an art competition, including Clanfield Primary School.

Waftag now has more than 2,100 signatures to its petition calling for Witney to become an official Fairtrade town.