In an effort to get a taste of life as a Big Issue vendor, a Truro Marks and Spencer manager sold 37 copies of the magazine in one day.

Mark Millbank's sales topped everyone else's in Truro during The Big Issue sell-off yesterday.

The commercial operations manager took to the streets and was supported by Big Issue vendor Nick.

Speaking about the experience, Mark, 54, said: "Nick has been selling The Big Issue outside our store for over five years and our team has got to know him well.

"With the continued cold weather, we thought it would be a great idea to show the team’s true sense of community and support Nick in a fun way while raising funds for a brilliant cause.

"It was fantastic to see the public getting behind us, as we managed to collectively sell 44 issues with Nick in just a couple of hours.”

Speaking about the experience, Nick Cuthbert, also 54, said: “It was a good fun competition with Mark. A good experience and great to get the word out there about The Big Issue. A big thank you to Mark, I enjoyed the experience a lot.”

Steve Carter, Devon & Cornwall team leader at The Big Issue, said: “The sell-off experience was a great opportunity to show Mark, on a small scale, what everyday life selling the magazine on the streets is like for Big Issue vendors. Mark had the public chuckling with his banter and he stormed the sell off, selling 37 copies.

“Nick was a fantastic ambassador for The Big Issue, showing him the ropes, providing sales tips as well as sharing his experiences of homelessness and poverty.”

The Big Issue, the magazine sold by vendors to lift themselves out of poverty, is available to buy from now across the UK for £2.50.