CHILDREN at Wroughton's Ridgeway School will get the chance to meet a banana grower from the Caribbean tomorrow.

And youngsters will also have an opportunity to sample chocolate and Fairtrade goods produced in the Windward Isles by farmer Denise Sutherland.

The demonstration is part of Fairtrade Fortnight, which runs until March 16 and aims to promote the concept of producing goods from which the proceeds go towards sustainable development in the Third World.

Because farmers get a fair price for their fruit, Denise says she can buy schoolbooks and uniforms for her son and food and medicines for her family. And because Fairtrade bananas are grown without herbicides, she and other growers are more aware about protecting the environment.

Fairtrade co-ordinator Kate Robin-son said: "By buying Fairtrade you are voting with your shopping basket, showing that you want to know that your purchases are sourced from farmers who receive a fair price.

"This benefits thousands of farmers directly, allowing them to work themselves out of poverty."