A Malvern church is joining the Fairtrade campaign to help tackle the poverty of farmers in developing countries.

Holly Mount United Reformed Church in Queens Drive will become a Fairtrade church by using Fairtrade tea and coffee at all its meetings.

It will also try to use other Fairtrade products such as sugar, biscuits and fruit and will promote fair trade during Fairtrade fortnight in March and at other events.

Rosemary Webb sells Fairtrade craft goods at the church every few months.

She said it was a good idea for the church to use Fairtrade products so producers are paid a fair wage for what they trade.

Rev Denis Simons, minister of the church, said: "We that have got so much in the UK need to be aware there are others struggling to get a decent meal every day.

"That's why we're doing it. We're doing it through God's love."

Holly Mount's decision to join the campaign comes after Malvern was officially designated as a Fairtrade town at a ceremony in November.

The Nags Head in Bank Street is already a Fairtrade pub, serving up coffee bought for a fair price, and Malvern residents took part in a Fairtrade march from Malvern to Worcester in September.

Eileen Richardson, a member of Malvern's Fairtrade steering group, said: "I'm delighted that another church is on board and I'm totally pleased that they're backing the campaign. Well done them."

She said a total of seven churches in the area had become Fairtrade churches.