A REDDITCH group calling for fair trade with Third World countries has gained the backing of MP Jacqui Smith.

Ms Smith, who is also Minister of State for Industry and the Regions, met members of the Redditch Trade Justice Group last month.

They were lobbying following the collapse of the World Trade Organisation's meeting in Cancun in September.

A group spokesman said: "During the meeting, she was asked if she would support the campaign to make Redditch a 'Fair Trade Town'.

"She pledged her wholehearted support, saying she already used fairly traded produce at home and in her office.

"She said she thought it was a brilliant idea."

Fairly traded goods are usually produced by community businesses in Third World countries.

They have good employment conditions and the profits are re-invested to improve social and economic conditions in the local community.

Redditch Trade Justice Group is chaired by The Rev Noel Sharp, of the Emmanuel Church Centre, and includes church representatives from across town, organisations like Friends of the Earth and other interested people.

It supports the Trade Justice Movement, a coalition of charities like Oxfam and Christian Aid, churches and trade unions and campaigns for changes to world trade rules that would benefit Third World countries.

In Redditch, fairly traded goods are available at the Oxfam shop, most supermarkets and some churches.