People drinking cups of cappuccino in one of Brighton and Hove's many cafes seldom give a thought about how the brew is produced.

Yet the chances are that the coffee beans used were grown by people struggling to make a living.

Now, Oxfam wants Brighton and Hove to become a Fairtrade city.

Already, the charity and many other businesses in the city only sell goods they know have been made where producers receive a reasonable deal.

Fairtrade goods such as tea and coffee often do not cost more than those sold by the multinational outfits.

If enough people insist on buying Fairtrade food, this will make giant companies sit up and take notice.

Brighton and Hove City Council has no powers at all on what is a national and international issue.

But it could easily set an example by selling only Fairtrade goods itself and could help persuade other organisations to follow its lead.