A TOWN S bid to get Fairtrade status is well on track. Stevenage is hoping to become Comet country s second Fairtrade town, after Hitchin achieved that accolade last year. Stevenage Borough Council is currently compiling a directory of Fairtrade retailers

A TOWN'S bid to get Fairtrade status is well on track.

Stevenage is hoping to become Comet country's second Fairtrade town, after Hitchin achieved that accolade last year.

Stevenage Borough Council is currently compiling a directory of Fairtrade retailers and organisations in the town, one of the criteria set by the Fairtrade foundation.

After that is complete it will submit its final application, and hopes that it will be granted Fairtrade status by the summer.

To help drum up support for its bid, the council is organising a range of activities to mark Fairtrade Fortnight, which starts on Monday.

It is running a challenge to encourage retailers, caterers, schools and individuals to hold Fairtrade events or promotions.

Prizes include trophies, certificates and a £500 donation towards the overall winner's chosen charity.

Alex Lang, Fairtrade co-ordinator at the council, said: "The idea is that we get people in the town out there doing something and promoting it to their staff and customers."

There will also be a stall in the Town Square from 8am to 3pm on Monday, where free products will be available, and a Fairtrade grower will be talking about the importance of making trade fair.

The council has already met some of the criteria to become a Fairtrade town as Fairtrade tea and coffee is now served at meetings, and vending machines at the council's offices stock Fairtrade products.

For more information on Stevenage's bid, visit www.stevenage.gov.uk/fairtrade