The campaign centred on the Big Swap which was to get everybody changing their shopping habits to choose as many fairtrade items as possible.

Jack Doherty, of Bexhill Fairtrade Committee, said: "165 million cuppas are consumed each day in the UK but only one in ten is Fairtrade. By swapping your cuppa to Fairtrade, we could all help to build hundreds of classrooms and dig many wells to ensure the future for many poor villagers.

"The sad reality is if we don't, they will not get the opportunities and will remain exploited. It is also well-known that there is no peace without justice and fairness."

Chris Davis from the Fairtrade Foundation visited Bexhill during the campaign and met local traders including Timothy Dixon, assistant manager at Co-op in Western Road.

Chris said: " Cadburys have moved to fairtrade dairy milk not just for the personal benefits to producers but because future pickers of tea and coffee beans are leaving the land because of the poverty, and

Fairtrade will keep them there to ensure the future of Cadbury's also."
While here he visited C-SIDE Cafe in Devonshire Road to celebrate success "from field to table" with owner Nicky Gedney who uses the products for her business.