IT was nice to read in David Johnson's letter (HAS, Jan 14) that North Yorkshire County Council intends to expand the use of Fairtrade goods at its Northallerton headquarters.

However, as Mr Johnson pointed out, Fairtrade goods in some supermarkets can cost 20 per cent more than they are bought in at churches in his area where they are offered for sale.

As a Christian, I want to buy Fairtrade goods, not only because sales help the poorest people in the world, but also because of their quality. As I am reluctant to pay inflated supermarket prices, I always have to wait until a church in the area has a sale on or a fair where I can buy Fairtrade.

This isn't good enough. I need to be able to go somewhere where I can buy Fairtrade goods on a regular basis at church prices.

I am unable to get to church on Sundays until the evening service due to other commitments, so is there any church willing to hold a sale of Fairtrade goods on Saturdays?

Fairtrade tea, coffee, muesli and assorted biscuits are among some of the nicest food products I have ever tasted.

Margaret A Greenhalgh, Darlington.