Devastated campaigners have been dealt a hammerblow in their bid to transform Biggleswade into a Fairtrade town.

This week Biggleswade Town Council refused to back the bid for a second time, which was put forward by Cllr Sheila Grayston on behalf of Fairtrade Association Biggleswade (FAB).

Without the council's backing the campaign cannot go any further and Biggleswade cannot become a Fairtrade town.

North East Beds MP Alistair Burt, a member of FAB, expressed his disappointment at the decision.

During Tuesday's council meeting, Cllr Steven Watkins said he felt under pressure to agree to the motion but still voted against it.

Cllr Becky Kerfoot hit out at the decision: "I have never heard such a ludicrous amount of claptrap in all my days.

"What's wrong with paying a fair price for these goods? Fairtrade is not a registered charity, it's free trade. I think it would be disgraceful if you vote against this and I would be ashamed to be part of this council."

Despite the strong opposition, FAB has said it will not go down without a fight and will continue to go back to the council until it backs the proposal.

For the full story see the March 28 edition of the Biggleswade Chronicle.