The magazine, which normally sells for �1.40 with half kept by the vendor, will increase to �2 for one bumper issue only, with �1 for the seller.

Marc Leverton, director of the Big Issue South West, said: "The increase is a bonus, a thank you from the public for the work vendors put in all year."

The new issue includes interviews with Busted and Goldie Looking Chain, plus more content than usual.

Only income

Mr Leverton added: "It is a tough job for anyone to do, let alone someone struggling with other issues.

"The edition that comes out on Saturday and the one next week will do very well, selling more than 30,000 copies.

"But we will see that figure drop dramatically in the New Year and I would like to encourage people to be supportive and remind them that January is the coldest month and probably when vendors need most support.

"A lot of the people selling the magazine have no other source of income."