THE drive to promote Hartlepool as a Fairtrade town has received a boost.

The cafe in the People's Centre, a community building in Raby Road, has decided to switch to Fairtrade brands of tea and coffee, and other products, wherever possible.

The cafe, which is open from Monday to Thursday, from 9.30am to 3pm, and on Fridays, from 9.30am to 1.30pm, was paid for by the New Deal for Communities scheme, but is now self-funding.

Martin Green, chairman of the Hartlepool Fairtrade Steering Group, welcomed the Fairtrade decision.

He said: "We are delighted that the People's Cafe has agreed, wherever possible, to sell Fairtrade products, and we would urge other town businesses to follow their example."

The steering group, with members from Hartlepool Borough Council, businesses, churches and representatives of the voluntary sector, was set up in November 2004 and was instrumental in Hartlepool becoming the first of the Teesside boroughs to be awarded Fairtrade Town status, in July 2005.

The Fairtrade concept is about supporting producers in developing countries and giving them a foothold in global markets.