Newcastle Emlyn residents are celebrating as the town achieves Fairtrade Town status.

The news is the culmination of three years of campaigning by the local Fairtrade Steering Group, which began in November 2011 when a group of people from the local community came together to promote Fairtrade in the town.

Many activities, such as Fairtrade smoothie stalls, visits by Fairtrade producers, Fairtrade exhibitions at local events and presentations by guest speakers within the Fairtrade movement have raised the awareness of Fairtrade in the town.

"To become a Fairtrade Town we needed to achieve five 'Fairtrade Goals," said Jill Sutton who co-ordinates the Fairtrade Town group and co-own's a Fair Trade business in Newcastle Emlyn.

Goal 1 is having the support of the Town Council, Goal 2 is Fairtrade products being available in

shops and cafe's, Goal 3 is Fairtrade being supported by community groups, schools and workplaces

in the town, Goal 4 is the awareness raising activities and media coverage for the campaign and

Goal 5 is an active steering group.

The Fairtrade Foundation, who are the awarding body for Fairtrade Towns, said in their application feedback 'It is not often that a town's initial application is already as strong and comprehensive as yours (Newcastle Emlyns')'

However Newcastle Emlyn's Fairtrade Town status is only the start of it's Fairtrade journey as they will have to renew their status in 12 months time and then bi-annually.

The steering group will be meeting in the New Year to organise how the group will be celebrating their achievement and to plan the ongoing Fairtrade campaign.

Watch out for Fairtrade Fortnight 2015 (February 23 to March 8) for Newcastle Emlyn's Fairtade group's Fairtrade activities.