PEOPLE in the East Lancashire are being encouraged to “do their bit” during ‘Fairtrade Fortnight’ by Blackburn College educated Euro-MP Louise Bours.

The UKIP MEP has thrown her full backing behind the annual 14-day exercise which aims to ensure that Third World farmers and producers get a decent price for their goods.

Ms Bours said of the 2017 campaign which stated yesterday: “These days we are all used to buying products which have been shipped here from all over the world.

“But how often do we pause to think about the farmers who grow these items, such as coffee, chocolate, bananas, tea and sugar?

“The reality is that millions of farmers who grow food in developing countries are barely making a living.

“Fairtrade Fortnight is a timely reminder of this and the need for us to do our bit to help.

“Farmers who sell their crops on Fairtrade terms get a much better deal so by choosing products bearing the Fairtrade mark we are helping them receive a viable income.

“Fairtrade aims to address the underlying inequities caused by poverty

“I would urge local people to consciously choose Fairtrade items, not just in the next fortnight, but for the future.”.