Keighley has been awarded Fairtrade Town status.

Jubilant campaigners say the accreditation is a tremendous boost for the town.

A volunteer team backed by Keighley Town Centre Association has been working with businesses, schools and community groups for much of the year to satisfy the tough criteria.

“Quite rightly the status is not awarded lightly, and although we were relatively confident we could achieve it, a lot of hard work had to be put in by the committee and by businesses and others,” said association chairman Steve Seymour.

“We also had to show that we had the backing of Keighley Town Council and Bradford Council. We are over the moon to be granted the status.

“It was our belief that we should be recognising what Keighley is doing – it’s a good place to shop, which values consumers and the supply chain. Many people look to buy Fairtrade products and now when they are seeking places to shop they know they can come to Keighley to make their purchases.”

But he added that the accreditation was only the beginning.

“We will be pushing to develop on this,” he said. “We want to get more businesses involved in selling and using Fairtrade products and we are confident we can achieve this.”

Keighley MP Kris Hopkins said: “This is terrific news for the town and tremendous credit to the volunteer team that has delivered it.

“Just a few months ago, Rita Verity from Sonia’s Smile in Haworth asked me to arrange for the Prime Minister to add his signature to a book supporting Fairtrade, which I was very happy to do.

“Haworth was, of course, declared the first Fairtrade Village in the world in 2002. I am delighted that Keighley has now joined it on the Fairtrade global roll of honour.”

Efforts began in earnest in the spring towards meeting the criteria, which include a number of retailers, catering establishments, workplaces and community organisations – such as churches and schools – which must sell or use Fairtrade items.

The status will be officially launched at Keighley’s Christmas lights switch-on on November 24.