MODELS paraded down the catwalk in Fairtrade-friendly frocks recently at a Fairtrade fashion show to celebrate the national Fairtrade Fortnight.

Organised by Okehampton's Fairtrade Group, an audience of more than 70 people enjoyed the show which displayed a collection of garments in Fairtrade bamboo fabric from Leela in the Arcade, a collection of silky kaftans made from fairly traded recycled saris from In House of St James Street and the spring collection of Indian Fairtrade cotton fashion from mail order firm Bishopston Trading, based in Bristol.

Models for the show were friends of In House owner Tracie Martin, and dance students from Okehampton College.

Eco warriors from Okehampton Primary School started the show with a presentation about their work towards Fairtrade School status, and they performed a poem which cleverly spelt out Fairtrade.

The pupils prepared a quiz on Fairtrade to test the knowledge of the guests.

Catering students from the college produced a finger buffet and all refreshments, including Fairtrade wines, were sponsored by Co-op. Lidl also made a contribution by providing Fairtrade fruit juice at a discount price.

Proceeds from the fashion show will be used to sponsor future events to promote Fairtrade in Okehampton.

Okehampton Primary School, All Saints Sunday School and the Quaker Children's Meeting have all been decorating Fairtrade cotton triangles during Fairtrade Fortnight.

These will be sent to the Fairtrade Foundation in London to be assembled with millions of other contributions into one long string of bunting, which it is hoped will rival the present length in the Guinness Book of Records.

The string of bunting produced should be displayed on World Fairtrade Day in May.