OXFORD has been named as a 'Fairtrade university' after earning new accreditation.

The Fairtrade Foundation’s announcement, under the new Fairtrade University and College Award Scheme, helps to ensure people who produce the university’s food and drink get a fair cut of the proceeds.

The new scheme also sets targets which will take Oxford University several years to achieve.

Fairtrade certification is something students have asked for and the student body were closely involved in the work to achieve it.

All departmental cafes and other sites that operate under the university’s central catering contract with Compass took part, as did six colleges.

Vice Chancellor Louise Richardson said: “I am proud that people across the university community have come together to secure Fairtrade status for Oxford.

“This is a landmark achievement, and speaks to our collective and individual responsibility to help make the world a better, fairer place for all.’

Oxford has been a 'Fairtrade City' since 2004.

People from many teams around the university including environmental sustainability, facilities management and purchasing, helped gain accreditation, working alongside representatives of colleges and the Oxford University Student Union.

As the accreditation work continues there will be scope for more colleges and parts of the university getting involved.

A survey attracted 400 responses, with 81 per cent saying they would like to see a greater variety of Fairtrade goods.