A NORTH-EAST college has become the first in the country to win an award from a body that helps people in developing countries get a decent wage for the food they produce.

The Fairtrade Foundation has granted Sunderland College Fairtrade status as it sells coffee, tea, chocolate and energy fruit bars made by farmers in Nicaragua and other countries in its cafs.

The foundation was set up in 1994 to ensure that farmers and workers in places such as Central America, Africa and the Far East get a living wage for their work.

The Fairtrade Foundation Certificate was given to college lecturer Peter Mulligan after his return from a trip to Nicaragua as part of a fair trade staff development programme.