The Birmingham-based firm will allow a vendor to come to the site every Wednesday between 0700 and 1400 BST to sell copies to workers.

Around 80 copies of the magazine are sold a week within the Bournville factory and offices.

It is published on behalf of homeless people and is sold by them.

'Honest living'

Bob Tulk, senior operations manager for the magazine, said the move would be of great benefit to those involved.

"Sales of The Big Issue enable homeless people to build up their feelings of self worth whilst making themselves an honest living.

"Not all of our vendors can cope with the prospects of selling magazines within city centres.

"So the opportunity to work within a more protective company environment such as Cadbury Trebor Bassett, and be supported by the company's community affairs team, is a huge benefit."

Cadbury's community affairs manager, Nicky Clarke, said allowing The Big Issue to be sold on-site provided the company with an opportunity to create more awareness of the problems facing homeless people.

The firm was founded by 19th century social reformer John Cadbury.

It currently has eight factories and 3,000 staff in the UK.