CHILDREN from first schools across Hexham united to mark Fairtrade Fortnight.

In an annual event run by Hexham Abbey, the town’s schools were invited to enter artwork in an exhibition centring around the theme of cocoa.

During the event held on Tuesday, the schoolchildren shared what they have discovered about Fairtrade, sang songs and said prayers for cocoa farmers.

Toni Bush, the Abbey’s education and community engagement officer, said: “The chocolate industry is worth $80bn but many cocoa farmers live below the poverty line, earning just $1.25 a day. Pupils have been learning how cocoa is turned into chocolate and how much people are paid, as well as how Fairtrade International guarantees farmers a minimum fair price and is working towards establishing a living income for farmers.”