AN ESTABLISHED Keighley tourist attraction and a much newer local group have joined forces to promote ethical global trade.

The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway and Fairtrade Keighley will be pooling their resources to persuade more people to buy goods from manufacturers who have been paid a decent wage to produce them.

A spokesman for Fairtrade Keighley said it made sense to link up with K&WVR, as it is the first steam railway in the world to have been officially awarded Fairtrade status for its commitment to this cause.

She added that Fairtrade Keighley has been working hard to build up links with a variety of organisations around the town, and has held regular events to spread the Fairtrade message.

Christine Laycock, the buffet manager at K&WVR, said she chooses to use Fairtrade products because they are high quality, adding: “You know it’s for the greater good all-round and that the people employed are paid fair wages.

"The railway has been using Fairtrade products for many years, but when I took over not many lines were still running. I think someone had been buying on price rather than quality.

"I’ve changed all that. I use Fairtrade products at home, so I know that they are good.

" Also people like to see Fairtrade products and I’m currently trying to find a good Fairtrade coffee supplier.”