The Fairtrade Fortnight will be marked with bake-off competitions, stalls, exciting guests, and sales across Cumbria.

The two weeks of events, which begin today, is a great way to join in a national scheme by celebrating the county’s long-running links and support for Fairtrade standards across the world.

This year’s Fairtrade Fortnight theme focuses on empowering female cocoa farmers across the world.

Both Carlisle and Brampton Fairtrade groups will be raising awareness about Fairtrade options that are available in local shops.

Adrienne Gill, from Carlisle Fairtrade group, said: “We are very fortunate to be welcoming a Fairtrade producer to Carlisle this year.

“Hugo Javier Guerrero is a coffee farmer from a Fairtrade cooperative in Peru and he will be visiting several Fairtrade towns and cities in the region at the end of next week.”

Hugo Javier Guerroro will be at John Watts coffee shop on Blackfriars Street on Friday for a coffee morning between 9am and 10am.

After this, seven schools from across the area will descend upon James Rennie School for a Fairtrade bake-off competition where students will aim to make the tastiest cake using only Fairtrade ingredients.

In Brampton, there will be different events that engage all members of the community.

There will be a coffee morning at the Moot Hall on Saturday between 9.30am and 12pm.

Members of Brampton Fairtrade Group will also be holding a Fairtrade chocolate promotion in the Co-op tomorrow between 11am and 1pm.

Kate Allan, co-ordinator of the Brampton group, said: “It raises awareness about Fairtrade is about.

“We highlight whatever we are directed by the Fairtrade Foundation to highlight, and it just brings it home to people what farming is like in these countries.”

Fairtrade Fortnight runs from February 24 to March 8 across the country.

Julia Nicoara, Fairtrade Foundation’s director of public engagement, said: “These special flagship events are an opportunity for people to hear directly from the women behind their chocolate bars, as well as inspiring women from the arts, business, charity sector, and politics as women from across the globe stand together for equality.”