HIGH Wycombe has been formally designated a Fairtrade Town.

The Fairtrade Foundation announced that Wycombe has become the 595th town to be bestowed with the Fairtrade title following a six year campaign by the Wycombe for Fairtrade Steering Group.

Cllr Matt Knight, a member of the group, was so keen to get the word out he paraded around the town centre dressed as a banana last week.

He said: “When I became a councillor I joined the Fairtrade group and told them I was determined to help them get the council backing they required to achieve Fairtrade Town status.

“People are welcome to quibble over how effective Fairtrade is, but surely the values of fairness and equality are ones we should be championing as a town and a district.

“By being a Fairtrade Town we give a positive message about where we stand which is particularly important when we have such strong links to communities around the world.”

Wycombe District Council passed a resolution supporting the move in 2013 – one of five steps required by the foundation before it could designate the town with Fairtrade status.

Retailers had to pledge to sell more than four Fairtrade products and eateries had to serve Fairtrade tea and coffee.

The campaign also had to secure the backing from faith groups, schools and voluntary groups, as well as lobby businesses to sell or promote the Fairtrade message in their working practices.

Adam Gardner, from the Fairtrade Foundation, said: “We are delighted to welcome Wycombe to the Fairtrade movement which now unites over 1,500 communities worldwide, taking practical steps to making a fairer world trade system a reality.

“We’d like to congratulate each individual, business and community organisation involved – together your actions are bringing a brighter tomorrow to producers in developing countries.”