Corsham is to make its first bid to become a Fairtrade town by the end of the year.

Organisers of the town’s bid are hopeful that it could win the coveted status because of the array of businesses that sell Fairtrade goods, which guarantee a fair deal for producers in poorer countries.

Shops that sell the produce include the Green Ginger health food store on the High Street, the Co-op supermarket in the Martingate shopping centre, and The Pound arts centre.

Organiser Greg Lovell, from the Transcoco Faitrade think tank, said: “Corsham is the sort of place where ethical products are highly regarded. I don’t think we will have any trouble getting the status.

“Having the Fairtrade Town label attached to Corsham is a useful tool when promoting it as a place to visit.”

The bid was boosted last month when Corsham Town Council backed the idea. The council will lead the way by offering Fairtrade teas and coffees at its meetings and functions.

The group now hopes to promote its bid through a stall at the Corsham Food Festival on June 18 between 9am and 3pm in the High Street, alongside the farmers’ market.

Mr Lovell, who runs his online ethical gift store from home at Pickwick Road, added: “This will be a really good opportunity to spread the message about Fairtrade and what it can mean for Corsham.

“Traders don’t need to do a lot and they are not expected to just sell Fairtrade. It could be as simple as a newsagent stocking Faitrade produce.”

If Fairtrade status is awarded in the autumn, shops and businesses will be given Fairtrade stickers to promote their involvement.

Town council chairman Pete Anstey said: “We have really embraced the Fairtrade principle and we are pleased to be leading the way on it in the town.”