Over 100 cups of tea and a variety of tasty cakes were served at a pop-up Fairtrade café in Beccles on Saturday.

Eastern Daily Press: Children playing around with the Fairtrade inflatables at the pop-up cafe.Children playing around with the Fairtrade inflatables at the pop-up cafe. (Image: Archant)

The event, which exclusively offered Fairtrade refreshments and snacks, was held at the town's library and gave visitors the chance to find out how the Fairtrade Foundation makes a vital difference to people around the world.

Beccles became a Fairtrade town in 2008, and since then the committee has been working with the community to bring Fairtrade products to more local retailers.

Every time someone buys a product bearing the Fairtrade mark, they are helping farmers in developing countries get a fair deal.

Elfrede Brambley-Crawshaw, part of the Beccles Fairtrade committee, said: 'It was a truly brilliant afternoon. All ages attended and we served well over 100 cups of tea and many cakes. We made £132 profit for the Fairtrade Foundation.'

A series of events have been organised in Beccles to mark Fairtrade Fortnight, which started on February 27 and ends on March 12.

Pupils at Sir John Leman School in Beccles found out how Fairtrade has a positive effect on farmers and producers across the world, whilst also supporting the campaign by holding their own Fairtrade break with goods donated by the East of England Co-op.

Kirsten Remer from Sir John Leman School said: 'We became a Fair Active School last year - thanks to the hard work of our Fairtrade action group. We are gradually working our way up the awards that the Fairtrade Foundation offer schools. Beccles is a Fairtrade town and we work with the steering committee to promote and maintain that status. This year we are focussing on encouraging students to switch to fairly traded break snacks and encouraging the staff to making the 'Fairtrade' switch, with help from the East of England Co-op, for their much needed break time coffee/tea.'

Events in Beccles will culminate with a prize draw to win a hamper of Fairtrade treats donated by Tesco in Beccles. Entry forms will be available at Beccles Library and at Tesco on Friday, March 10.

For more information visit http://fortnight.fairtrade.org.uk