RECENTLY recognised Windermere and Bowness Fair Trade group has been told it cannot use the town council's crest on a certificate.

The group, which has had to jump through many hoops over the past year to ensure Windermere and Bowness gained fair trade town status, said the council's decision was a "pity".

The council crest would have been used on a certificate to the towns of Windermere and Bowness from the Fair Trade Foundation celebrating the town's new status as a conscientious consumer.

Coun Jennifer Borer said she felt it was "inappropriate" while Coun Frank Sanderson was incensed by the suggestion.

"That's ours, the crest," he said. "They don't need to use our crest, that belongs to us."

Coun Richard Ogden said he was "all for" Fair Trade but objected to lending out the crest to a "commercial concern".

Coun Joan Stocker said she was disappointed by the decision.

"I'm disappointed we feel that way. Other towns are proud to have the Fair Trade status. Carlisle is proud, Kendal is proud. Why aren't we?"

Jenny Baker of the Windermere and Bowness Fair Trade group said: "It's a pity. We have got the Fair Trade town status and many people in Windermere and Bowness support the aims of Fair Trade.

"We are delighted to have gained the status and as far as I have heard from the Fair Trade Foundation all the other councils have been delighted that their crest is featured on the certificate."

She added the group had plans for celebrations on March 5 next year the start of Fair Trade fortnight and said the group planned to get more people on the Fair Trade trail.