George Alagiah took a break from fronting BBC's Six O'Clock news before millions to talk to Hartlepool people about the advantages of supporting economic independence for the Third World.

The award-winning journalist, who spent 15 years as a foreign correspondent for the BBC, drew a crowd of more than 50 at Hartlepool's Nasir Mosque, in Brougham Terrace.

Mr Alagiah has covered civil war in Afghanistan and Sierra Leone, genocide in Rwanda and famine in Somalia, but remained humble about his achievements.

He said: "All I was doing, however honestly and diligently I tried to do it, was bringing home to Britain the worst side of the world and the worst side of humanity.

"When I was given the opportunity to become a patron of the Fairtrade Foundation I jumped at it because it was an opportunity to be part of the solution."

He spoke of Third World farmers who work tirelessly not knowing whether they will get a wage at the end of their toil.

"I saw the mother who would take one piece of corn on the cob and turn it into a meal for her hungry children," he said.

"I saw the father who would get up way before dawn to work until sundown to bring home pay for medicine for his children."

Mr Alagiah said in the past 10 years, Fairtrade has taken off with consumer figures doubling every two years.

In Hartlepool, 25 outlets sell two or more Fairtrade products but Martin Green, chairman of Hartlepool Fairtrade Town Steering Group, said there's still a lot of work to be done.

He added: "We need to push the profile of Fairtrade to get people involved and cafes to sell Fairtrade tea and coffee as a primary thing."

The group was formed in November 2004 to promote Hartlepool as a Fairtrade Town.It has members from the council, business, churches, education and the voluntary sector.

Information about Fairtrade and its products is available by emailing fairtrade@hartlepool.gov.uk or by phoning an advisor on (01429) 266522.