CHOCOLATE and bunting have helped students at the West Somerset Community College in Minehead to highlight the importance of Fairtrade products during the annual Fairtrade Fortnight.

The students worked together to make 100 flags as part of a world record attempt to create the longest and fairest piece of bunting.

They and members of the Minehead Fairtrade Group and local churches braved chilly weather to gather at Dunster Yarn Market to 'Show Up and Show Off' - the motto for this year's Fairtrade Fortnight.

On show were campaigners' own Fairtrade clothing labels, and passers-by were encouraged to decorate a flag to go towards the college students' record attempt.

The finished flags are being sent to Fairtrade headquarters in London to be sewn into a world record attempt bunting - which is aiming to contain 12,500 flags, one for each Fairtrade cotton farmer in Mali and Burkino Faso.

The current bunting record is 2,696 metres and supporters are hoping to reach a massive 4,350 metres, or more than two and a half miles, in time for World Fairtrade Day on May 8.

During the fortnight, the college students also served up Fairtrade chocolate and marshmallow fondues to raise awareness of the impact of their product choices.

Year nine pupils compared the price of Fairtrade products against other brands, as well as taste and the price paid to farmers.

Others focused on the impact of Fairtrade on tea farmers in Western Uganda.

In the run-up to World Fairtrade Day, local Fairtrade campaigners will be encouraging people to make the most of the Fairtrade products available locally, including Fairtrade Easter eggs, wines, biscuits and clothes.

More information about Fairtrade is available from the Minehead Fairtrade group on 01643 708900 or the community college on 01643 706061.