BECCLES showed its commitment to helping poverty-ridden farmers as it took centre stage on Saturday in a campaign to help the world's poorest economies.

BECCLES showed its commitment to helping poverty-ridden farmers as it took centre stage on Saturday in a campaign to help the world's poorest economies.

The town celebrated its Fairtrade status as it received official confirmation of its commitment to bolstering the developing world - on a day when Lowestoft, Suffolk's first Fairtrade town, bad a fond farewell to a dedicated campaigner.

Beccles was in a party mood as it was given its Fairtrade certificate, which recognises the great strides the town has taken in promoting produce from developing countries.

Six food retailers and three cafés sell Fairtrade goods - well above the number needed for Beccles to clinch its prestigious accolade from the Fairtrade Foundation.

MP Bob Blizzard, town mayor Jeff Harris and local Fairtrade campaigner Wendy Moxon were on hand to receive the certificate in Exchange Square from Faaiza Bashir, of the Fairtrade Foundation.

Mrs Moxon said: “Being a Fairtrade town links us closely to the world and gives us a valuable insight into what is happening in the Third World.

“Ordinary people can make a difference to world poverty by simply making sure they buy Fairtrade goods.”

The town has been working hard towards its goal for some time now, and it is believed to be only the fourth in Suffolk to attain it.

Now its aim is to expand the number of businesses committing themselves to using or selling fair trade goods.

Meanwhile, Lowestoft was bidding a fond farewell to Francine Nahai, who organised her 10th and last Fairtrade awareness-raising fair in Stella Maris Hall.

Ms Nahai, who was the driving force in the coastal community's bid to become a Fairtrade town in 2004, is stepping down because she is emigrating.

Lowestoft now has 30 cafés and shops which sell Fairtrade goods.