REBUILDING the communities of Pondicherry is the topic of a special Fair Trade talk in Southampton.

The region in south-east India was devastated by the Asian tsunami disaster and a number of Fair Trade schemes have been set up in the communities to help the area recover.

Southampton resident Bernard Carre has returned from the region and will be giving an insight into the work of Fair Trade groups in Pondicherry.

"For these traumatised people, it is very important to know that we care. Fair Trade is about neighbourliness with the other side of the world," he said.

Mr Carre will be speaking to the Southampton Fair Trade City Group at Southampton Voluntary Services, Kingsland Square on Wednesday.

All are welcome to the meeting, which starts at 7.30pm and will feature Fair Trade tea and coffee refreshments.