Mars is launching a vegan version of its much-loved Galaxy chocolate bar in the UK next week.

The bars will be available in three different flavours - caramel and sea salt, smooth orange, and caramelised hazelnut.

All three will be on sale across the UK from Monday November 18, costing £3 for a 100g bar.

Although dark chocolate bars are often vegan, it's hard to replicate milk chocolate with a vegan recipe.

Mars has apparently spent six months developing a recipe for its vegan Galaxy bar, replacing the milk products normally used with hazelnut paste and rice syrup.

The bars, which are certified by the Vegan Society, will be for sale online and in store at Tesco, Ocado and Amazon from Monday.

Kerry Cavanaugh, marketing director at Mars Wrigley UK, said: "We're so excited to be bringing these delicious treats to Galaxy's range using a vegan recipe that doesn't compromise on the brand's signature smooth and creamy characteristics.

"Wherever you look you can't avoid the vegan buzz in the UK. Even though vegan treats are currently only worth £10 million in a £4 billion chocolate market, we think that by introducing Galaxy, one of the UK's best-known brands, there is a huge opportunity for the category to grow."

Abigail Stevens, the trademark marketing manager at the Vegan Society, added: "We're proud to register Galaxy's first-ever non-dairy milk chocolate bars with our vegan trademark.

The brand has demonstrated that dairy is not necessary to make great tasting chocolate, and that people can still enjoy their favorites without the use of animals."

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