A KENYAN Fairtrade producer has taken Wiltshire by storm after spreading the word about the importance of Fairtrade.

Patrick Kaberia Muthaura, of the Michimikuru Tea Company, appeared at Marlborough Town Hall on Saturday night to tell his story and the huge impact Fairtrade has had in his community in the Nyambene hills of eastern Kenya.

More than 110 people came to the hall to listen to Mr Muthaura, who has been a tea and coffee farmer for 24 years, talk about how the Michimikuru tea estate - which became Fairtrade certified in 2007 - sells their tea in the UK by Cafedirect and about the positive effect it is having there.

"The event in Marlborough was just fantastic. Everyone was so welcoming and appreciative of me telling my story about how life-changing having Fairtrade in my community has been," said Mr Muthaura, who flies back to Kenya next week.

"They were very impressed how we have helped families and local communities and used the profits of our enterprise to sponsor children so that they can attend school and we are currently building a maternity unit.

"Hopefully me being here has raised awareness about this important issue. I have loved my time here and would love to come back again."

Organiser of the event, Dr Nick Maurice, said: "It was a real honour having Patrick speak for us and it was a hugely successful event, not just because we heard about the great things they are doing but we also raised £400 for the Fairtrade Foundation."

Mr Muthaura, who is married with three children, has appeared at events across the county, including in Calne, Corsham, Trowbridge and Warminster.

The Fairtrade Fortnight campaign, which runs from February 27-March 13, aims to shine a light on the struggles farmers face to feed themselves and their families.