FAIRTRADE campaigners were left scratching their heads when their 6ft banner disappeared from the centre of Kidderminster.

The Buy Fairtrade banner, worth £50, was stolen from the front of the Worcestershire Hub at the Town Hall, where it had been positioned each Saturday for the past two months.

The town's Fairtrade Steering Group chairman, Peter Grantham, described the theft as a “sad loss” to the campaign, which is in the process of making its first annual Fairtrade status renewal application for Kidderminster.

“I can't imagine why anyone would want to steal it,” he said, “If it was just taken for a lark I hope it will be returned because it is a vitally important way of keeping the idea of Fairtrade in the minds of the public.”

Fairtrade aims to provide farmers and producers of goods in the developing world with a fair income so they can look after their families and provide them them with essentials like food, medicine and education.

The banner measured 6ft by 4ft and anyone with information about its whereabouts should contact Mr Grantham, on 01562 824523.

The banner was stolen overnight, Saturday to Sunday November 15-16. The town received Fairtrade Status from the UK's Fairtrade Foundation for the first time a year ago.