The banana boat arrives in Southampton with its cargo of Fairtrade bananas from the Windward Islands

The banana boat arrives at Southampton Pier - to be met by members of the Banana Street Theatre Company in banana-shaped costumes

Three MPs and the Lord Mayor of Southampton tuck into the Fairtrade bananas

Back in Portsmouth, the party starts in Guildhall Square with music and dancing. Fairtrade Forum campaigner Margaret Quinn grabbed the bishop for a quick dance as others sampled Fairtrade tea, coffee and bananas

The chair of Portsmouth's Fairtrade Forum, Christine McMillan, presents the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Cllr Tom Blair, with the certificate confirming that it has become a Fairtrade City

The secretary of Portsmouth's Fairtrade Forum, Sue James, with the cake made to mark the announcement of Fairtrade City status. It was cut during the Lord Mayor's Fairtrade tea party

The cyclists who had bravely cycled all the way from Southampton to Portsmouth to mark the co-operation between the two cities arrive in Guildhall Square, Portsmouth

Portsmouth has gained an international reputation as a city that gives a fair deal to developing countries.

The city was officially declared a ‘Fairtrade City’ on March 5, recognising that its shops, businesses and cafes are promoting Fairtrade products that don’t exploit suppliers in poorer countries. Fairtrade goods, such as coffee, tea, fruit and chocolate that are labelled with the Fairtrade Mark (pictured left), come from suppliers in developing countries who have been paid fairly for their work.

The official announcement was the culmination of two years of campaigning by Portsmouth’s Fairtrade Forum. And, because Southampton received the same seal of approval on the same day, the celebrations started there and ended here.

The party began when a 1915 Scandinavian trawler arrived at Southampton Pier with a cargo of Fairtrade bananas. Portsmouth MP Mike Hancock was there to hand them over to mark the co-operation between cities that are traditionally rivals.

The bananas, which were grown specially for the celebrations in the Windward Islands, came with a message from the plantation farmers. Later in the day they were handed out in schools, hospitals and community centres in Southampton.

Then there was a Fairtrade march from the town quay to the precinct, led by actors in banana costumes. A Fairtrade coffee morning in Southampton precinct kicked off at 12.15pm, and at around 12.45pm, scores of cyclists sporting Fairtrade tabards set off to Portsmouth.

The official announcement was made at 1pm in both cities. In Portsmouth, the party had already started in Guildhall Square at 12noon. It included music by the Portchester Steel Band and the chance for passers-by to sample 1,000 cups of Fairtrade tea and coffee and 1,800 bananas - donated by Portsmouth firm Fyffes.

Bishop Kenneth was among those celebrating in Guildhall Square. After making a speech praising the commitment of Christians to issues to social justice, he was grabbed by Fairtrade campaigner Margaret Quinn, from St Faith's Church, Landport, for a quick dance.

Between 2pm and 4pm, Portsmouth’s Lord Mayor hosted a Fairtrade tea party in his banqueting hall. Councillor Tom Blair welcomed the cyclists from Southampton and cut a celebration cake.

The chair of Portsmouth’s Fairtrade Forum, Christine McMillan, said: "After all the campaigning, this was a great party, when we could celebrate the enormous steps taken to improve the sale of Fairtrade goods. Many in our city now realise that the decisions they take to buy everyday goods do affect our neighbours in developing countries."

The two south coast cities was among 10 cities – five pairs of traditional rivals – declared Fairtrade Cities during Fairtrade Fortnight, which is from March 1-14. They join 31 existing UK Fairtrade cities and towns. Click here for more information about the national picture.

In order to achieve the status, the forum had to persuade enough supermarkets and cafes to sell Fairtrade products, and encourage Portsmouth City Council to pass a motion supporting the concept.

Campaigners also set up a website to show people where to find Fairtrade products. Shoppers can look on www.portsmouthfairtrade.org.uk to find which city supermarkets stock items such as Fairtrade tea, coffee, chocolate and fruit.

Fairtrade Forum members visited supermarkets and corner shops around the city to build up a picture of who sold what. The campaign was given a real boost by the Co-op’s decision to make sure all its own-brand chocolate was fairly-traded.

The website will also feature cafes that sell Fairtrade drinks and snacks, including such places as Costa Coffee in Ottakar’s Bookshop, Commercial Road.

Many churches in the city also offer worshippers Fairtrade tea and coffee after services. Some sell Fairtrade goods on stalls after services as well.