A COMMUNITY association is believed to be the first in County Durham to adopt an environmental and ethical policy.

From now on, Brancepeth Village Hall will only use green products and Fairtrade goods wherever possible.

Light bulbs are being changed, recycled stationery used, cleaning products which are more environmentally friendly are being phased in and steps to use less water in the toilet cisterns are been implemented.

Brancepeth Community Association chairman Kath Currie is behind the idea.

She said: "We need to do more to save the planet and people need to be more conscious of the environment.

"We are a very affluent society and there are lot of people in the world who are not so fortunate.

"Having been on holiday to places like Africa and India you see what conditions people live in and want to do something to help.

"This will help the Third World develop by giving them a fair price for their goods."

The Greening of the Village Hall is being launched at a coffee morning on Saturday, June 26 from 10am to noon.

Fairtrade items will be available for sampling and Traidcraft goods will be for sale.