A CAMPAIGN to make Barnet a Fairtrade town kicked off at a meeting in Hendon last week as residents presented a global vision to end poverty.

Nine residents formed a steering group to co-ordinate their efforts - one of five goals required to win the status, awarded by the Fairtrade Foundation charity.

Group member Maria Petanga-Wallace said the award signals a commitment by the borough to the principle of Fairtrade, which aims to give producers in developing countries a greater share of profits.

She said: "I think Fairtrade is a key way to alleviate global poverty and help poor people develop themselves.

"We want to bring people together in this community to work towards this goal."

The other four goals Barnet has to achieve to become a Fairtrade town include having a wide range of Fairtrade products available in shops and having the council pass a resolution supporting the idea.

Sixteen other London boroughs have already become Fairtrade towns, but Mrs Petanga-Wallace says Barnet Council is holding up progress after a motion to support the idea was rejected earlier this year.

The Conservative group voted against the motion on the grounds Fairtrade is not universally backed in the developing world and it would cost money to maintain the status.