Campaigners sneaked fair trade chocolate bars on to the shelves of a Brighton shop and tried to buy them.

The stunt, arranged by Oxfam volunteers, was a protest against WHSmith, which does not sell fair trade goods.

Protester Alan Pegg, of Clifton Road, Brighton, put about 20 Black and Green and Devine chocolate bars on the shelves of WHSmith in Churchill Square, Brighton.

A group of 20 Oxfam volunteers then attempted to buy the bars, confusing staff.

When they realised what had happened, they alerted security guards, who escorted the protesters out of the store.

Mr Pegg said: "I have written to WHSmith several times during the past six months and have been told there is not enough room in the stores to sell fair trade chocolate.

"The company's response angered me so I decided to take action.

"My protest proved there is enough room for the chocolate to be sold.

"People should be given a choice about whether or not they want to buy it."

The fair trade movement attempts to stop the exploitation of food producers in developing world countries by giving a fairer price for their goods.

WHSmith has agreed to speak to its head office about selling the chocolate.

A spokeswoman said: "We take into consideration customer comments so feedback received in the Brighton store will be included."