Manchester Cathedral samples Fairtrade Communion wine

Manchester Cathedral is considering stepping up its efforts to help third world farmers with the introduction of what it believes is the world's first Fairtrade Communion wine.

If approved, the Porterion Fairtrade Wine, which is produced by a co-operative in Chile, would add to the list of Fairtrade products that around 70 per cent of churches in the Diocese of Manchester already use during their service and fellowship times, reports the BBC.

A wine tasting on Tuesday will give clergy and parishioners a chance to sample the product before deciding whether to use it in Communion.

The wine tasting is one of many special Fairtrade events being held in churches across Manchester Diocese and nationwide as part of Fairtrade Fortnight, which runs until 9 March.

Most churches in the UK only use fairly traded tea and coffee as part of their ongoing efforts to support communities in developing countries and foster greater trade justice worldwide.

Fairtrade labels are only awarded to products that are produced by firms which ensure that

Last week, as part of the Diocese of Manchester's slate of Fairtrade events, local celebrity chef Simon Rimmer led a Fairtrade cookery lesson at Trinity High School, an 'eco school', to encourage children to go Fairtrade.

Using Fairtrade chocolate, sugar, nuts and cocoa to make chocolate brownies, Rimmer hoped his lesson would help children see that it is possible to make delicious food using Faitrade ingredients.

Anton, one of the food technology classmates, said, "We didn't know much about fair trade before, but it's really important. It means producers get a fair price for all their hard work."

Hala added, "We didn't know that only seven pence of a £1 chocolate bar goes to the cocoa farmers. I'll be telling Mum to try fairtrade tea, coffee and juice."