CREATIVE youngsters have been praised for their efforts supporting a campaign which gives people in poor countries a fair deal.

Seven schoolchildren have been announced as the winners of the Weymouth and Portland Fairtrade poster competition.

The competition is an annual event run launched during Fairtrade Fortnight which gives local children an opportunity to show off their skills and help raise awareness of the campaign.

Competition organisers invited pupils from key stages 2, 3 and 4 to come up with a design that ‘shows off’ Fairtrade products and what it means to the producers.

There were more than 300 entries from seven of the borough’s schools. When the winners were picked, organisers found they all came from one of two schools – All Saints and Radipole Primary.

The winners were presented Fairtrade chocolate and other goods at Weymouth Library by town restaurateur George Afedakis, who supports the campaign.

Elisabeth Orrell from Weymouth and Portland Fairtrade group said: “Choosing the winners was very difficult, but a real treat to see all the thought and creativity that had gone into the designs.

“The winning designs, which will be used to promote Fairtrade around the area, will be on display at Weymouth Library until May 21.

“We would be pleased to hear from anyone who has a business that sells or serves Fairtrade products and who would like a copy of a poster.”

Winner Mirabelle Knowles, 14, from Wyke Regis said: “A lot of people don’t think they can do anything about issues in the developing world but I think people should be more optimistic and realise that things can change.”

Another winner, Reinebeau Anderson Dudley, 12, from Chapelhay, produced a design of a banana under a magnifying glass.

She said: “I try to but Fairtrade products where I can. I don’t think people realise that just buying one chocolate bar can help people.”