A campaign has been launched in Abingdon to get more businesses, organisations and members of the public to buy Fairtrade products.

The town's Chamber of Commerce has set up a group with the long-term aim of winning Fairtrade status.

A Fairtrade town is a community which has made a commitment to buy Fairtrade products when possible. Fairtrade products are designed to offer more equitable returns for farmers in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

More than 100 products now carry the Fairtrade mark, including coffee, tea, bananas, chocolates, cocoa powder, nuts, dried fruits, fruit juices, sugar and honey.

Oxford and Faringdon already have Fairtrade status.

Mellie Ferrier, landlady of Abingdon's Broad Face pub, who chairs the new group, said: "Our ultimate objective will be working towards getting Fairtrade town status for Abingdon. We want to encourage business in surrounding villages to join us in our campaign to get a fair deal for producers in poor countries."

Abingdon town councillor Alastair Fear is to draw up a motion for the council to support Fairtrade and agree to using Fairtrade products in its offices. The group is to ask the Vale of White Horse District Council for support, and help in the form of administrative support and funding.

Ms Ferrier said Fairtrade produce was already being sold in various outlets -- including supermarkets and charity shops -- and the town met the required number of retail outlets per head of population.

She said: "A range of other objectives has to be met, though, before the national association will consider Fairtrade town status for Abingdon.

"Our pub sells Fairtrade beverages and ingredients and the chamber wants to see more catering outlets selling them.

"What we don't know is how many other catering outlets are actively selling Fairtrade products. We are going to investigate by circulating a questionnaire and letter so that we can encourage more businesses to join us."

Abingdon Museum cannot offer Fairtrade drinks to its employees due to a contractual agreement with a vending supplier which does not supply the products.

The chamber is to write to the supplier to see if it will change to Fairtrade brands.

More Fairtrade goods are becoming available in shops, supermarkets and cafes.

Bicester is the home of the International Fairtrade Association, the global association of Fairtrade organizations.