NOMINATIONS for the first Ealing Fairtrade Awards are underway with the aim of promoting Fairtrade support in the borough.

The awards will be judged on the number of Fairtrade products used, innovative promotion methods employed and efforts made to inform staff, students and customers about Fairtrade.

Ealing Fairtrade Co-ordinator Jackie Whitaker, said: “We hope the outcome will be that we discover other businesses, organisations and establishments that are supporting Fairtrade, so far unbeknown to us.”

Educational centres, firms and groups are all encouraged to enter their Fairtrade efforts before the closing date on July 31.

The categories are restaurants/cafes/pubs, retailers, hotels and guesthouses, schools, private nurseries and daycare, universities and colleges, workplaces and suppliers.

Mrs Whitaker said inspiration for the awards came from a desire to discover and promote those in Ealing doing the most for Fairtrade.

Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in September.

Ealing Fairtrade Group was founded in 2003 and Ealing became a Fairtrade borough in 2008.

Entrants should send 50 words detailing why they should win to info@ealingfairtrade.org.uk plus an optional photo.