STOURPORT is well on the way to becoming a Fairtrade town, thanks to the enthusiasm of a group of townspeople with a passionate belief in what the initiative stands for.

The Stourport Fairtrade Group has been working hard to win the status for the town.

Steering group member, Councillor Vi Higgs, said Fairtrade guaranteed a better deal for people in the third world by ensuring they got a fair price for goods they produced.

To become a Fairtrade town, certain goals had to be met, said Mrs Higgs, a Stourport town councillor.

Most of these had been achieved already, including gaining the backing of the town council, she said.

Increasing the number of shops and businesses in the town selling Fairtrade goods was also important.

Mrs Higgs said: "We will shortly be making contact with anyone who may be in a position to help place Stourport on the Fairtrade map."