BOLTON is to become the UK's biggest Fairtrade town. Celebrations are planned to mark the occasion which will include Fred Dibnah demolishing a chimney and a sponsored walk as well as food and drink tasting parties.

The prestigious title will be given during Fairtrade Fortnight; two weeks which highlight the sale of products where a fair price has been paid to poorer people throughout the world.

Earlier in the year, Bolton Council led the way by ensuring tea and coffee served at the town hall carries the Fairtrade Mark. It is now the largest town in the country to embrace the policy.

Products which may carry the logo include bananas, chocolate, cocoa, fruit juice and coffee.

The Fairtrade celebrations kick off on Saturday March 1 at noon at the Market Place, in Knowsley Street. Fred Dibnah will demolish a mock chimney designed to symbolise unfair trade.

He will then present Bolton Mayor, Cllr John Walsh, with the Fairtrade Foundation's Certificate.

Jim Hollyman, chair of the Bolton Campaign Group, said: "This will be a significant day in the history of Bolton. The town has a long history of campaigning for global justice and we are building on that tradition."

The group will have a stall at the Market Place with free samples of Fairtrade products.

Two weeks later, on Saturday March 15, a tasting party will take place at the Justicia shop, in Knowsley Street, from 2-5pm. African drummers will welcome Ghanaian cocoa-bean farmer Confort Kwaasibea who will speak about her life before and after Fairtrade.

Later that afternoon, 60-year-old Margaret Johnston, development manager of Justicia, will finish a three-day walk from Chester via Stockport and Manchester and will be armed with messages of support.

Shops in Bolton selling Fairtrade products include Costa Coffee, the Co-op, Asda, Sainsbury, The Body Shop, Safeway and Tesco.