THE county town of North Yorkshire has achieved Fairtrade status after meeting five key goals.

Northallerton is now one of 136 towns and cities in the UK to be named a Fairtrade town.

To achieve the status, the town council must serve Fairtrade coffee and tea at its meetings and pass a resolution supporting Fairtrade.

Fairtrade products must be readily available in the area's shops and in local cafes.

Town councillor John Blevins said: "A lot of people have worked very hard and the certificate will be handed over to the people of Northallerton at a celebration in the new year, when hopefully it will reside in the town hall for all to see.

"There are currently 231 others towns trying to achieve this status and we achieved this before Darlington, Barnstaple, Knaresborough and Harrogate."