SUPPORTERS of fair trade foods are to encourage councillors and residents in Stockton to change the way they eat.

The Mayor of Stockton, Pete Andrew, and other councillors, will be served a Fairtrade breakfast next Tuesday to encourage them to serve Fairtrade drinks at their meetings.

Supporters of food producers in the developing world will also be giving away Fairtrade chocolate, coffee and tea in Sainsbury's and Morrison's sstores in the town, this week, to encourage purchases.

The events, in Savacentre today, and in Morrisons at Teesside Retail Park next Friday, are part of National Fairtrade Fortnight.

Fairtrade products come with a guarantee that the growers and producers get a fair deal for their goods.

Event organiser Jenny Medhurst said: "It seems only fair that the quality products we eat and drink should provide decent livelihoods for the people who grow them.