Sales of Fairtrade goods, which give premium prices to producers in poor countries, are soaring in Britain, aided by the launch of new product lines.

Fairtrade Foundation officials say sales in Britain, the world?s biggest market for goods carrying the Fairtrade mark, have been rising by around 40 percent a year and should comfortably top 270 million pounds by the end of 2006, up from 195 million in 2005, which was 40 percent higher than in 2004.

?The aim is to encourage people to become part of the ?quiet revolution? which has seen such great Fairtrade success in the UK,? said Harriet Lamb, who heads the Fairtrade Foundation.

?While the concept of Fairtrade continues to grow in popularity with the UK public, products must become more visible in shops and cafes.?

Nineteen organisations including the Fairtrade Foundation run the international standard setting and monitoring body, Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO).

Producers registered with FLO receive a minimum price that covers the cost of production and an extra premium that is invested in the local community.

Lamb told a reception on Monday night that several UK retail brands had launched ranges of Fairtrade products recently, and she hoped the London Olympics in 2012 would promote Fairtrade.

Marks & Spencer said on Monday it was switching all the coffee and tea sold in its stores to Fairtrade.

It recently became the first high street retailer to offer a range of clothing, from T-shirts to socks, made from Fairtrade certified cotton in 40 flagship stores.

?I have no doubt that sales of Fairtrade cotton will go from strength to strength,? Stuart Rose, chief executive of Marks and Spencer, said in a speech at the Fairtrade reception.

Richard Branson?s Virgin Rail Group has announced that it is changing all the tea, coffee, sugar and chocolate sprinkles on board its trains to Fairtrade.

The number of certified Fairtrade products has soared more than tenfold in the past three years to over 1,500 now, and are believed to benefit some five million people ? farmers, workers and their families ? in the developing world.

?Fairtrade is significantly contributing towards the social improvement of our community and providing a better future for our youngsters,? said Silver Kasoro-Atwoki from the Mabale Growers Tea Factory in Uganda.

?We have opened new access roads to benefit all in the community, assisted in providing primary healthcare through construction of health clinics, and added a new block to the local secondary school.?