Eden campaigners have been recognised for their efforts in ensuring that farmers throughout the world get the best deal for their products with the award of Fairtrade Status for the area.

Eden District was granted the prestigious status by the Faritrade Foundation in record time - just nine months after it was originally applied for.

The status recognises the strides that campaigners in the area have made in encouraging cafes, bed and breakfasts, restaurants and shops in the area to offer products labelled with the Fairtrade mark.

The mark means that workers involved in producing the goods have received decent wages, adequate health and housing, and have the right to join trade unions, along with guarantees of no child or forced labour and better living conditions.

The exciting news also coincides with the launch of the Eden Fairtrade Directory, which has been produced by the Eden Valley Fairtrade Group.

The publication contains details of businesses, schools and cafes and bars, which use fairly traded products in Eden Valley.

Earlier this year Eden District Council voted unanimously to back the application for Fairtrade Status for the area and now only provides fairly traded coffee, tea, chocolate and other products at its offices.

Council chairman Ella Langan said she was "delighted" that the district had been awarded the status.

"I would like to congratulate all those who have worked so hard to achieve this. The Eden Valley Fairtrade Group approached the council back in February seeking support for the pursuit of Fairtrade Status for the district, and council members unanimously backed this initiative," she said.

Co-ordinator of the Eden Valley Fairtrade Group Nicki Vecqueray explained that members were also working to achieve Fairtrade Status for individual towns in the valley, such as Appleby and Kirkby Stephen.

She added that the group was also seeking to promote fairly traded goods produced by farmers and growers in the Eden Valley area.

"This shows that we are using our combined consumer power to show that we are interested that farmers and growers are given a fair price for their products," she said.