A SPECIAL guest from Malawi will be jetting in for Fairtrade fortnight in Hay-on-Wye.

Allan Saidi, an administrator for KCG – a Fairtrade certified sugar cane project in Malawi – will share first hand stories of how Fairtrade has had a positive impact.

Oliver Balch, a local author who recently visited Nicaragua, will also be talking at the free event at 7pm on Monday, March 2 at Tomatitos.

Fairtrade Fortnight started on Monday and runs until March 8.

The focus this year is on tea, sugar and cocoa, and turning the spotlight on to the producers who grow the products.

Fairtrade ensures farmers across the developing world receive a fairer price for their work, as well as an additional Fairtrade Premium, used by farmers and workers to invest in their communities.

Hay-on-Wye, which is a Fairtrade town, is holding several other special events including:

February 26: The Fairtrade tea ladies are giving out free cups of Fairtrade tea at Hay market.

February 28 and March 1: There will be a Fairtrade café at the Parish Hall during the Borderlines Festival of British Cinema, 10am to 7pm.

March 3: Allan Saidi will be visiting Hay primary school children.

March 8: Fairtrade Hay will be serving Fairtrade hot chocolate and tea at 11.30am, outside Eighteen Rabbit at Hay castle, to the walkers doing the Timbuktu Trail walk.