A COUNCIL has thrown its weight behind a campaign aimed at promoting fair trading with farmers and workers in developing countries.

Chester-le-Street District Council's Fairtrade steering group is backing the national campaign Change Today - Choose Fairtrade, and encouraging people to make the switch by signing a pledge.

Durham MP Roberta Blackman-Woods will be signing the pledge at Chester-le-Street Parish Centre on Saturday, where there will be a Fairtrade stall.

The stall, with a range of products, will also be at the Co-op food hall, in St Cuthbert's Walk, Chester-le-Street, tomorrow and on Friday and Saturday, March 9 and 10.

The council, which is a partner in the Fairtrade steering group, is having a dress-down day on Friday, March 9, to raise funds for ActionAid's Tea and Coffee Break.

In addition, the council's nursery, at Selby Cottage, is hosting a Fairtrade coffee morning tomorrow, for parents of children who attend the nursery.

Everyone is invited to find out how their shopping habits can impact on developing world communities.

Many farmers and workers in developing countries struggle to provide for their families. Poor market access and unfair trade rules often mean their crop price does not even cover production costs.

To counter these economic constraints is the aim of Fairtrade.

It is a rapidly-growing international movement seeking to guarantee a better deal for farmers and workers in the developing world.