A WOLLASTON animal lover has opened Stourbridge's first Fairtrade gift shop.

Fair and Square is the brainchild of 35-year-old Faye Thatcher, who wanted to give shoppers the opportunity to buy a variety of items, including bags, jewellery and homeware, that had been made in safe working conditions and do her bit to reduce poverty in third world countries.

Before taking the plunge, she conducted an online survey, to get an idea as to how the venture would be received in the town.

She said: "The feedback was very positive. At first I was looking at focussing more on vegetarian and vegan products but then I realised I would be targeting a very small market so instead, I've extended the gift range but I have a selection of luxury dairy-free chocolates."

Faye, who previously worked for an animal charity, opened the shop on Market Street, on Saturday.

She added: "It's something I've wanted to do for a long time. I'm passionate about animal welfare and environmental issues. There is nowhere in the Stourbridge area that stocks purely on an ethical point of view, I do not stock products that contain any materials or ingredients of animal origin.

"Not only will people get really nice, beautiful little bit and pieces, they will be helping people across the world."