Fairtrade ensures growers get a fair price for their products

Garstang was declared the world's first Fairtrade town in 2001, starting a trend that has since spread to more than 200 places in the UK.

Drinks served at council meetings are sourced through the system and about 80% of local shops sell the products.

The birthday party coincides with the launch of a council campaign to make Lancashire a Fairtrade county.

Trend growing

BBC newsreader George Alagiah, a patron of the Fairtrade Foundation, will be cutting the cake at the event at Garstang Golf and Country Hotel.

Elaine Gisbourne, chair of the Garstang Fairtrade Steering Group, said: "It is wonderful to think that while this small Lancashire town celebrates its fifth birthday the whole county of Lancashire will also publicly announce its intention to make Lancashire a Fairtrade county.

"Fairtrade is going from strength to strength," she added.

Towns or cities are granted Fairtrade status after meeting five criteria set out by the Fairtrade Foundation.