OWNERS of a coffee roasting business are trying to raise cash to set up an ethical coffee shop in Middlesbrough.

A "Crowdfunding" campaign has been launched by North Yorkshire business Rounton Coffee to raise £10,000 to fit out the cafe with equipment.

The company has already invested in the project financially, but needs extra help to finish it off - and make "a haven in the heart of Middlesbrough".

Rounton Coffee is made up of founders David Beattie and Tracy Lee, plus two new coffee enthusiasts Dave Atkinson and Dave Burton.

The company acquired business premises on Bedford Street, which will offer seasonal expresso and filter coffees along with locally-sourced foods and gluten-free products.

Rounton Coffee was set up by Mr Beattie and his partner Ms Lee in East Rounton, near Northallerton, after the former engineer returned from travels in Sumatra, where he had spent time with coffee farmers and was concerned they were barely being paid enough to survive.

He decided to do something about it, and set up a roastery to import beans, roast them, cut out the "middle man" and pay a fair price to coffee farmers.

Every coffee bean they roast is from a sustainable source and they roast speciality coffee which is driven by the world’s seasonal coffee harvests.

Mr Beattie said: “We really need some help here to get this project off the ground and would like to appeal to anyone who lives in or visits Middlesbrough to help us establish the first truly seasonal and sustainable coffee shop in the town.

"We're a small business that doesn't have deep pockets, so we need the support of others to give us that helping hand as we embark on this next chapter."

The kickstarter campaign lasts 30 days and in that time the total sum must be reached – otherwise they receive nothing.

In return for pledging money towards the campaign, each supporter will receive a reward, ranging from a cup of coffee and slice of cake with a £5 donation, to the chance to use the coffee shop for a whole evening for a party for 25 people with a £500 donation. Other amounts can earn crowdfunders an enamel mug, tote bag and several cups of coffee.

To pledge money towards the coffee shop please visit: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rounton-coffee/rounton-coffee-put-middlesbrough-on-the-coffee-map