World goes bananas for record attempt

Fairtrade campaigners around the globe have attempted a new world record for the highest number of fairtrade bananas being eaten in a 24-hour period.

More than 300,000 people signed up to the attempt, promising to eat a banana in the 24-hours up to noon on Saturday.

Residents in two fairtrade towns came together across the Atlantic via video-link for the record attempt.

People in Garstang, Lancashire; and Media, Pennsylvania; watched each other eat bananas on screen.

Meanwhile, Leeds hosted a banana eating event in its city centre.

Photos of banana eating events across the UK have been published on Flickr.

Fairtrade bananas now account for one in four bananas sold in the UK.

Bananas are the best selling fairtrade product, with £184 million in retail sales last year.

The Fairtrade Foundation, however, wants the number of fairtrade bananas sold to double by 2012.

Harriet Lamb, Fairtrade Foundation executive director, said: “We are calling on people to make a simple decision when they shop.

“By choosing Fairtrade, consumers are ensuring producers are given the chance to receive a minimum price and Fairtrade premium, which in turn enables them to earn a decent living and support their families.”

Nearly three quarters of British households bought fairtrade goods in the last year.