A TOWN is setting out its stall in a bid for Fairtrade status.

Stockton, striving to become a Fairtrade Borough, invited farmers and producers from across the globe to its market at the weekend.

Customers could take their pick of Polish bread and cakes, Christmas gift ideas from Peru, amber and silver jewellery, toys, olives, dried fruit, pastries and, from Germany, bratwurst sausages.

Sue Burgess, Stockton's town centre manager, said: "I am delighted to be able to bring the World Christmas Market to not only Stockton, but also to Billingham.

"It is particularly pleasing as the borough bids to gain Fairtrade status, and I hope this specialist market will complement our own traditional market and enhance visitors' shopping."

The Fairtrade producers move to Billingham town centre today.