A Gloucestershire company is being accused of making excessive profits at the expense of farmers in the developing world.

The charity Oxfam says Cheltenham-based Kraft Foods is making billions in profits around the world, particularly from its coffee products, while farmers are facing bankruptcy.

A debate, starting at 1930 GMT, has been organised on Tuesday evening to discuss the salient issues at Cheltenham's Pump Room.

Sarah Jenkison of Oxfam said: "We know that 25 million farmers in 45 countries face ruin after a 30-year low in coffee production.

Fair income

"Many banks are collapsing and farmers can't afford medicine and are taking their children out of school in many cases.

"We feel Kraft really need to take on board their responsibilities for the people who produce the raw materials."

Joanna Scott of Kraft said: "We want farmers in the long term to be able to grow coffee and be able to get a fair income.

"In that way we can get enough coffee to produce our product, so in fact some of the issues raised by Oxfam are serious and important.

"Those are the ones that we are working with Oxfam to try and find solutions."