BUDDING bakers are being asked to rise to the challenge of showing off the quality and variety of locally sourced ingredients in Middlesbrough.

A baking challenge has been organised as part of the town’s Fairtrade Fortnight celebrations.

The competition will be held on Tuesday, March 4, with entries accepted at the BBC Tees building between 10.30am until noon.

Cakes and biscuit entries will be judged by a panel of judges including BBC Tees presenter Alastair Brownlee and prizes will be awarded.

Middlesbrough is recognised as a Fairtrade Town in a partnership managed by the Fairtrade group with representation from Middlesbrough Environment City, Middlesbrough Council, the private sector and voluntary and community organisations.

The purpose of the baking challenge is to demonstrate the variety of Fairtrade ingredients that are readily available in Middlesbrough’s shops.

Entries will not only be judged on taste, ingenuity and appearance but also the percentage of Fairtrade and local ingredients used in the recipe.

Councillor Julia Rostron, chairwoman of Middlesbrough Environment City, said: “We are all looking forward to discovering what exciting ideas our local bakers can come up with using locally sourced or Fairtrade ingredients.

“The competition is a chance for people to show off their flair in the kitchen and also to promote the benefits of buying Fairtrade.

“Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world.”

A Fairtrade ‘Big Brew’ event is being held the following day at West Lodge garden in Albert Park, Middlesbrough, on Wednesday, March 5 from 10am to 2pm when Fairtrade tea and coffee will be served to celebrate the recent clean-up of the area.