Keighley is celebrating being awarded Fairtrade Town status.

Jubilant campaigners say the accreditation is a tremendous boost for the town.

A volunteer team, backed by Keighley Town Centre Association, has been working with businesses, schools and community groups for much of the year in order to meet the tough criteria.

“We are over the moon to be granted the status,” said association chairman Steve Seymour.

“Many people look to buy Fairtrade products, and now, when they are seeking places to shop, they know they can come to Keighley to make their purchases. This could also provide a huge boost to trade.”

Keighley MP Kris Hopkins also welcomed the award.

“This is terrific news for the town and tremendous credit to the volunteer team that has delivered it,” he said.

“Haworth was, of course, declared the first Fairtrade Village in the world in 2002. I am delighted Keighley has now joined it on the Fairtrade global roll of honour.”

Councillor Adrian Farley said: “This is fantastic news. A brilliant result.”

Fellow steering group member Liz Barker said: “2014 will be a great year to showcase our fledgling Fairtrade Town status when the Tour de France rolls in to town.

“It is an opportunity to highlight Keighley as a place with a big heart and a strong, caring, conscious community.”

“We will be pushing to develop on this,” added Mr Seymour.

“We want to get more businesses involved in selling and using Fairtrade products, and we are confident we can achieve this.

“It was our belief that we should be recognising what Keighley is doing – it’s a good place to shop, which values consumers and the supply chain.”

Efforts began in earnest in the spring towards meeting the criteria, which include a number of retailers, catering establishments, workplaces and community organisations – such as churches and schools – that must sell or use Fairtrade items.

A steering group met for the first time in May, and several promotional events have been held in the town.

Mr Seymour said: “Quite rightly, the status is not awarded lightly, and although we were relatively confident we could achieve it, a lot of hard work had to be put in by the committee, businesses and by others. We also had to show we had the backing of Keighley Town Council and Bradford Council.”

The Fairtrade Foundation congratulated Keighley on the award of its status, and said it was well deserved.

“It is thanks to groups such as Keighley’s that Fairtrade is going from strength to strength and helping more communities in developing countries earn enough for today and to invest in a better tomorrow,” said a spokesman.

The status will be officially launched on November 24 at Keighley’s Christmas lights switch-on.