A recovering alcoholic who sells the Big Issue in Bath is protesting against the magazine’s plans to bring in new vests sponsored by a wine producer.

The magazine is rolling out the tabards claiming they are “more visible” than the existing yellow and blue ones.

Pat, 62, said he was willing to give up the £10 he would make in a day to make his point.

Big Issue said without the deal it would have not been able to afford the tabards.

A Big Issue spokesman said: “We went with them because they were prepared to sponsor the tabards, the value of which is quite significant – and money we don’t have in the business.