CAFFEINE hounds are invited to a coffee drinking session at Cha Cha Cha Cafe next week.

The event, on Friday, March 4, has been organised as part of Fairtrade fortnight (March 1 to 13) to raise awareness about its products, which include coffee, tea, chocolate and sugar.

Watford resident Stefania Horne will be drinking coffee all day to publicise the goods.

She has organised the event in conjunction with the Watford Fairtrade steering committee, which is working to make Watford a Fairtrade town.

As well as raising awareness of Fairtrade, the event will generate funds for ActionAid.

The charity works with the poor in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean to eradicate poverty by overcoming injustice and inequity.

ActionAid's 24-hour coffee breaks will be taking place across the country that day to raise awareness of the plight of poor farmers.

Last year's events raised £50,000 for the cause.

The Fairtrade Coffee and Chocolatey Day takes place at Cha Cha Cha Cafe in Cassiobury Park, Watford, from 10.30am to 4pm.

There will be a chance to sample Fairtrade tea and coffee, as well as cakes made with Fairtrade ingredients.

Children are also welcome to come along and join in the games and activities on offer.

Alternatively, residents can visit the Fairtrade tasting stands at Tesco, Watford, on Saturday, March 4, from 10am to 4pm; Asda, north Watford, on Tuesday, March 8, from 11am to 4pm; and Sainsbury's, north Watford, on Saturday, March 12, from 10am to 4pm.

Also to mark Fairtrade fortnight, Cassiobury Rangers will be holding a penalty shootout at their training session at Parmiter's School on Saturday, March 12.

There are seven Fairtrade footballs up for grabs, to be presented by Watford Mayor Dorothy Thornhill.

On Sunday, March 6, St Luke's Church in Langley Way, Watford, will hold a special drama at its 10am service.

The Fairtrade church has also organised a scrapbook competition for Years 3 to 6, who have been collecting Fairtrade labels and learning about the organisation's work.

For more information, visit www.fairtrade.org.uk or www.actionaid.org.uk