by Martin Jefferies

Climate change will be at the top of the agenda when influential campaigners gather in Margate next month for an international conference.

Organised by Initiative, the event, which takes place at the Winter Gardens on Saturday, October 16, is part of the annual World Food Day celebrations.

Tickets are free although booking is essential. Speakers will include Laura Vickery, international development manager at The Co-operative, Tony Quantrill, head of public policy at the Fairtrade Foundation, and Duncan Williamson, manager of the World Wildlife Fund's One Planet Food programme.

May Kidd, the world president of the Associated Country Women of the World, and Laura Sandys, the MP for South Thanet, are also set to attend the conference, which starts at 1.30pm in the Queen's Hall.

Tammy Stewart-Jones, founder of Thanet Fairtrade Initiative (pictured above, courtesy of Simon Rawles), said: "We're looking forward to some lively, fascinating discussion from the panel.

"It's an honour to have such a distinguished line up and it's great that Thanet is able to stage an event like this.

"Climate change isn't going to go away. It's something that affects us all and we're hoping lots of people will turn up at the Winter Gardens to find out how they can do their bit to help the environment."

The conference coincides with World Food Day, with workshops, cookery demonstrations, food tasting, local produce and craft and trade stalls among the attractions at the Winter Gardens from 10am.

An uplifting performance from South African song and dance troupe will bring the event to a close at around 3.30pm.