SHOP-A-HOLICS can enjoy their favourite past time with a clearer conscience this week during Chesham's first Fair Trade Friday event.

Chesham was the first town in Buckinghamshire to be awarded Fair Trade status in March, because its shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, schools, churches and workplaces actively support fairer trade with developing communities.

On Friday, June 10, the Fairtrade Foundation will officially recognise the town's new status by presenting a certificate to Chesham's mayor Chris Spruytenberg and Chesham and Amersham MP Cheryl Gillan at the Elgiva Theatre.

Shops and businesses will also be offering more than 850 products bearing the Fairtrade mark such as chocolate, tea, coffee, bananas, flowers, fruit juice and wine, at special introductory prices.

The Fairtrade mark is an independent consumer label which appears on products as a guarantee that disadvantaged producers are getting a better deal.

The Fairtrade Foundation claims that more than five million people across 49 developing countries benefit from the international fair trade system, which means that farmers, workers and their families receive more wages for their labour.

Now Chesham's fair trade steering group is seeking volunteers to raise awareness at the town's Victorian Evening and carnival later in the year.

For information contact the Rev Colin Cartwright on 01494 775 651 or visit www.fairtrade.org.uk