THE campaign to make Bolton a "fairtrade" town has reached the Mayor's Parlour.

The Mayor, Cllr John Walsh, drank a cup of the fairly-traded coffee which is now to be served at all meetings of council members.

The Fairtrade Mark is a guarantee that the producers have received a fair wage and that part of the cost paid goes towards providing better healthcare and education for some of the world's poorest communities.

A Bolton steering group -- chaired by the Rev Jim Hollyman, the former minister at St Andrew and St George United Reformed Church -- is seeking to identify 27 retail outlets and 14 catering establishments so that Bolton can be awarded the international Fairtrade Mark.

Mr Hollyman said today that they only needed to find five more cafes to meet the target.

After enjoying his coffee, the Mayor presented Fairtrade Certificates to some of the town's retailers.

Katie Bray received the certificates for 14 Co-op outlets and Laura Mason, Pam Pickup and Glynis Hardman accepted them on behalf of Sainsbury's, the Costa Coffee Company and Justicia, the Fair World shop on Knowsley Street.

Other retailers which now stock fairtrade products are Asda, The Body Shop, Holland and Barrett, Morrison's, Oxfam, Safeway and Tesco.

They include tea, coffee, honey, wine, bananas, chocolate, cocoa, fruit juice and a wide range of craft gifts.

A guide to places where Fairtrade products are available in Bolton is due to be printed soon.

Companies or organisations which want to be included should contact Mr Hollyman on 01204 64886.