AN INITIATIVE to obtain Fair Trade status for Okehampton, to benefit food producers and their families in the Third World, has been started by members of the Churches Together in Okehampton.

The group is inviting the public to come along to the All Saints Parish Church hall in Market Street (next to Somerfield's carpark) from 7.30pm on Thursday, September 10, to organise a campaign to earn official status for the town from the Fair Trade Foundation.

Mrs Cynthia Higbee, a Society of Friends member, and her fellow Quaker Kate Thompson, are hoping the public, local traders and councils will back this initiative.

Mrs Higbee, who lives in Bridestowe and is a former headteacher of Spreyton School, said: 'Devon is a Fair Trade county and towns such as Torrington, Barnstaple and Crediton are already Fair Trade towns — so we hope that Okehampton can become one too.

She said the signs are encouraging as already all the supermarkets in the town stock Fair Trade goods and there are one or two smaller outlets which stock Fair Trade garments.

'The whole thing is about seeking economic justice for the small producer in poorer countries. In terms of commodities such as tea, coffee and bananas, which we do not produce in this country, the big concerns corner the market and the smaller producer finds it hard to compete.

'With the help of Traid Craft (the brand name for Fair Trade) we aim to help these small producers to do that more fairly, such as by becoming stronger through forming local co-operatives. In that way they can obtain a better return for their goods to help their families.

'It is not about charity it is all about helping people help themselves.'

Mrs Higbee stressed that helping those people impoverished in Third World countries would not be to the economic detriment of Devon food producers as Fair Trade was only aimed at supporting those products, such as coffee and tea, which had to be imported into this country.

Churches Together in Okehampton are already backing Fair Trade goods by serving Fair Trade produce with their refreshments at its meetings. It is hoped that schools and other organisations, as well as individuals in the town and surrounding area, will back the campaign. Everyone is welcome on September 10.'

One of the requirements to obtain status is that it has the backing of the local council.

Don Bent, clerk for Okehampton Town Council, confirmed the council has had a request to back the campaign from Mrs Higbee.

He said: 'The council will be considering the matter in due course and we hope to have a representative at the Fair Trade meeting.'

Ian Bailey, the chairman of the Okehampton and District Chamber of Trade, added: 'I can't see the traders in this town have any objections as far as Fair Trade is concerned because on ethical grounds it would help to increase the standard of living for people in countries who are far less fortunate than ourselves.'