A PAIR of Otley students have praised the Town Council for renewing its commitment to fair trade.

Otley achieved Fairtrade Town status a decade ago but to retain the accreditation the community has to show it is continually working to raise local awareness and promote Fairtrade products.

Prince Henry's Grammar School students Sophie Nelson-Laidler and Tim Buttanshaw addressed the council's Policy and Resources Committee, before a vote on the issue, this week.

Joined by chairman of OFFER (Otley For Fair-trade and Economic Rights) John Eveleigh, they told the council it had a vital role to play.

Sophie said: "We should all be proud Otley is a Fairtrade Town.

"Prince Henry's is a Fairtrade School and as such we take our responsibilities very seriously.

"To retain Fairtrade Town status we must demonstrate incremental improvement in raising the awareness of the local community.

"Key to the town's ability to retain the status is the requirement of the town council to sign up to the principles laid down by the Fairtrade Foundations.

"We are really pleased that the council has, over a number of years, demonstrated a willingness to actively support those principles and we're delighted you are going to consider a further resolution to re-commit the council to that important, continued support."

Tim, listing some of the recent events that had been held in Otley by OFFER to spread the word, added: "Your support is key and we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your past support.

"Local young people care, with a passion, about what is happening in the world."

Proposed by Council Chairman Councillor Ray Georgeson (Lib Dem, Danefield), the resolution noted that Otley had made 'huge progress' since becoming a Fairtrade Town but that there was still 'much to be done'.

It was supported unanimously.