Malvern was officially awarded Fairtrade status at a presentation on Tuesday.

Around 40 guests attended the event at the Malvern Town Council offices on Belle Vue Terrace, during which a certificate of recognition was handed to Coun Ralph Madden.

Malvern is the 18th town in the UK to receive Fairtrade status. The award is recognition of two and a half years of hard work by members of the local Fairtrade group.

Certain criteria must be met in order to achieve the distinction. The area must include one catering outlet per 5,000 people which sells at least two Fairtrade products. Local food shops, from big supermarkets to small private traders, must stock a range of Fairtrade goods.

Several local cafes and restaurants, including the Lyttelton Well, serve Fairtrade beverages and many local offices and organisations use Fairtrade tea and coffee.

A full list of the Fairtrade items on sale at retail outlets in Malvern is available from the Amnesty International shop on Edith Walk.

The Fairtrade Foundation UK fights for better prices, decent working conditions and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in poorer countries.

The Malvern Fairtrade group would like to hear from any organisation in the area interested in supplying fairly traded beverages. It can be contacted via Elaine Bass on 01684 561440.