Monumental effort from north east campaigners

The week-long programme of events started with hundreds of people, including many Traidcraft supporters, encircling the Angel of the North in a 'human white band'.

Traidcraft's Joe Osman spoke passionately about his personal experience of the tremendous impact Traidcraft's work has had on improving the lives of producers in the developing world.

The gathering was also addressed by MP Joyce Quin who re-iterated the need for sustained campaigning on behalf of the world's poor. She made clear that the "fight against world poverty needs to command all our attention from now on" - a sentiment that was vocally endorsed by those listening.

Campaigners then made their way on a five mile monument-to-monument march from Gateshead to Grey's Monument in Newcastle, where they were encouraged by Olympic champion Jonathan Edwards.

Throughout the week there have been campaigners outside St. Thomas' near the Haymarket raising public awareness of the inequity of trading rules and encouraging people to cast their vote for trade justice.