After the huge success of its Real Easter Egg, the Meaningful Chocolate Company is launching a Real Advent Calendar that tells the Christmas story.

Instead of the usual sleds and reindeer, behind each door of the Real Advent Calendar is a Belgian chocolate star and a snippet of the Christmas story.  The last door opens to a chocolate and a 24-page booklet telling the story of the birth of Christ.

The Real Advent Calendar goes on sale on 7 October and at least 10p from every sale will be donated to the Children's Society.

The Bishop of Truro and Chair of the Children's Society's Board of Trustees, the Right Reverend Tim Thornton, said; "I encourage everyone to go and buy a Real Advent calendar this year. The proceeds will benefit The Children's Society which works directly with some of the most disadvantaged children in the country - ensuring they are loved, valued and listened to."

The Real Advent Calendar is the latest product from the company that launched the Real Easter Egg in 2011 as the only Easter egg on Britain's supermarket shelves to tell the meaning of the festival on its packaging.  

As with the Real Easter Egg, the chocolates in the Real Advent Calendar are fairtrade.

"Farmers in the developing world receive a good price for their produce," said David Marshall, founder of the Meaningful Chocolate Company.

"They also receive a premium cash payment to invest in their community - enabling them to buy everything from schoolbooks to solar panels."

The card used in the Real Advent Calendar is recycled and the plastic tray holding the treats is made from recycled mineral water bottles.

Tesco is the only supermarket stocking the calendar this year.

"Supplies will be available in most Tesco stores. This is a very significant step and we hope people will support it," Mr Marshall added.

The calendar also supports the Christmas Starts with Christ campaign, which runs from 1 December to Christmas Day to share the real meaning of the season.

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu said: "The Real Advent Calendar offers a unique way to share the Christmas story while supporting The Children's Society and Fairtrade. I believe it will be widely welcomed by all. The Real Advent Calendar is a chance to educate, stimulate our thinking and do good."