Hershey's controlling charitable trust is nudging the American confectioner to propose a solo bid of $17 Billion (?10.3 Billion) for Cadbury acquisition. The bid will be the highest that has been made for the British candy maker till now, and will usurp Kraft's hostile ?9.9 Billion offer.

Cadbury has been, as experts say, "in play" with Kraft since the latter made its first bid in August, and the Hershey Trust Company is now urgently and aggressively calling for the firm to seal the deal before Kraft plans to raise its offer again.

Economists and analysts had up until now been of the view that Hershey would not be able to place a bid for a huge firm like Cadbury single handedly, but recent improvements in the debt markets, which have led to a manifolds increase in the amount banks are willing to lend, have enabled the company to approach Cadbury in a stand-alone deal.

If reports are to be believed, JPMorgan and Bank of America Merrill Lynch have been appointed to advise on and structure the offer's financing, which could be put forward within 15 days.

Hershey's deal would take Kraft's current offer of 725 pence per share to a new high of 750 pence per share.