Trainee teacher Henna Johal took home a hamper crammed with Fairtrade goodies after winning this year’s Chester Fairtrade A-Z Trail prize draw.

The trail was launched on February 15 and ran until March 9 in the city centre to help introduce shoppers to stores stocking Fair Trade products.

Five local primary schools created 26 art boards which were displayed at 16 venues around the city.

Schools included Eccleston CE Primary, Huntington Primary, JH Godwin, Oldfield Primary and Upton Heath C of E Primary.

A trail booklet was also designed complete with map to help participants navigate their way around the city. 

At the end of the trail people filled in their booklets to win a hamper before slipping them into a box at the And Albert shop on Eastgate Row, one of the venues taking part.

Heather Swaintston, director of CDEC-Developing Global learning organised the trail on behalf of Cheshire West and Chester Fair Trade steering group.

She drew the winning entry out of the box during a recent event at the Wesley Church centre - the hamper was donated by Chester Fair Trading.

Clare McCormack of And Albert said the trail had been hugely popular.

She said: “This year the Fair Trade Trail around Chester city centre has been a runaway success.

“A very different departure from previous years and one which has really captured the spirit of the community young and old.

“Working within And Albert I have had many conversations with people completing the trail and all have been very positive.

“They have visited areas within our city which they have previously overlooked or places not frequented for a while and have found the whole experience enriching and rewarding.

“Despite being an established shop many trail participants were new to us who promised to be back to buy from us soon.

“This is a great boost to us and other independent businesses which are actively involved in the Fair Trade movement at a time when high streets are struggling during this economic downturn.

“The trail booklet itself is clear, beautifully put together and easy to follow.

“It’s something CDEC and Chester West and Cheshire Council can be proud of with this collaboration of effort and expertise.

“The only problem now is how to top this with something for next year’s Fair Trade Fortnight.”