Ammanford Fair Trade campaigners are celebrating following the news that the town has successfully renewed its Fairtrade Town status, 15 years after the town first gained Fairtrade Town status back in 2002.

Ammanford was the first Fairtrade Town in Wales and paved the way for Wales to become the first Fair Trade Nation in 2008.

Fairtrade Town status is awarded by the Fairtrade Foundation and is given to towns and communities which show a commitment to supporting and promoting the principles of Fairtrade.

Fairtrade guarantee fair prices for the producers of our goods in developing countries and also works to empower farmers and producers in some of the poorest regions of the world, helping them, their families and their communities to work their way out of poverty.

The Fairtrade Foundation's award report particularly emphasised the strong work done by all of the town's schools in educating both students and their families about the importance of buying Fairtrade products.

The Foundation were also impressed by the way in which the annual Fairtrade Banana Split has become such an integral part of the community calendar and they were delighted that road signs marking the achievement of being Wales' First Fair Trade Town went up at all of the town's gateways last year, with support from Carmarthenshire Council, Ammanford Town Council and Fair Trade Wales.

Phil Broadhurst from Ammanford Fair Trade Town Group said: "15 years after we first gained Fair Trade Town status, this latest in a long line of renewals is a great birthday present for all involved over the years in making Ammanford and the world a better, fairer, kinder place."