PUPILS at a school in Stourport supported cocoa farmers by holding a Fairtrade Tea Party.

Parents were invited into Burlish Park primary and entertained by the year four children who shared some of the things they had learned in lessons in recent weeks about cocoa and banana growing, while drinking tasty beverages and scrumptious treats made using only Fairtrade products purchased from local stores.

Vi Higgs, from the Stourport Fairtrade association, also attended the event and sold a variety of Fairtrade products and gifts.

Year four teacher Rhian Duckworth said: "As part of our curriculum studies, we hold a Fairtrade tea party each year, which means teachers, pupils, and parents hear about and are actively involved in the learning, awareness, and promotion of Fairtrade. Our ‘fairtraders’ were really proud of their work and enjoyed sharing their ideas and knowledge with their parents, as well as using fairtrade ingredients to bake their treats."

As well as supporting farmers abroad, the schoolchildren also grew their own crop of potted miniature daffodils to sell and raise money for the Marie Curie charity. The little daffodils were ‘mini pots of care’ and acted as a little ray of help for those who need it. In total £60 was raised for the charity.

Eco schools co-ordinator Lynda Williams said: "We had a great afternoon in school and I was amazed how much the children knew about the problems farmers abroad face and the support that is given by Fairtrade.

"Growing and nurturing their own daffodils gave them an insight into the world of horticulture and they were thrilled to be able to send more than £60 to the Marie Curie charity."