AN MP from Comet country and a five-time Olympic gold medallist have joined together in a world record bid to help raise awareness of Fairtrade.

North East Herts MP Oliver Heald teamed up with former rower Sir Steve Redgrave, now the Fairtrade chief ambassador, in parliament in an attempt to break the record for the world’s longest bunting.

The current record stands at 2,985m long and Fairtrade campaigners and supporters are aiming to reach a length of at least 4,359m - nearly two and a half miles - with the final bunting revealed on World Fairtrade Day on May 14.

The word record attempt marks this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight as well as highlighting the Fairtrade Foundation’s ‘Great Cotton Stitch-Up’ campaign, which is a drive to end unfair European cotton subsides.

MP Oliver Heald said: “I am concerned that West African farmers who earn less than $1 a day cannot use their farming skills to trade their way out of poverty.

“From the amount of Fairtrade goods on our local shops, I know trade justice is something residents really care about; therefore I am proud to be backing Fairtrade Fortnight and their bid to break the bunting record.”

Sir Steve Redgrave added: “I am delighted that Oliver is backing Fairtrade’s campaign.

“I have visited West African cotton farmers in Mali and I have seen how hard it is to make a living from cotton already. Farmers there are not asking for a handout, just a level playing field so they can improve their families and communities through hard work.

“Working together we can end these subsides and make their lives just a little bit easier.”