Cllr Stephen Burke, who recently took over as Leader of the Council in Hammersmith and Fulham, used the Green Festival on Parson's Green last Sunday afternoon to boost the profile of the Borough's campaign for Fair Trade statues.

Speaking at the Festival he said, 'Supporting Fair Trade is one of the most important and easiest things everyone of us can do to improve the situation of the world poorest people. Fairly Traded products mean consumers get high quality products whilst farmers and local producers in less wealthy countries are assured a guaranteed price, rather than suffering potential ruin at the whim of international prices.'

Cllr Andrew Jones the Labour Councillor for the Fulham Broadway ward and Chair of the Fair Trade Steering Group, said, "As part of our commitment to promoting Fair Trade across the Borough, we've got an ongoing series of events in supermarkets, coffee-shops, cafes and workplaces across the Borough. We're also working with churches and schools to get the message across."

Cllr Burke made a number of purchases from the Tradecraft Stall at the Green Festival. As part of the campaign, the Council is compiling a list of all retailers who stock Fair Trade products across the Borough. The directory will be published later in the year.

The Council passed a resolution to become a Fair Trade Borough in March and is hoping to gain full recognition from the Fair Trade Foundation in the autumn. Further support from volunteers or from organizations would like to help are very welcome. They should contact Richard Adam on 0208 753 3332 or write to him at Hammersmith Town Hall, King Street, W6 9JU