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Confectionary giant Cadbury has succumbed to consumer demand and put its iconic Wispa chocolate bar back on sale.

Around 23 million Wispa bars have been produced for this week's product re-launch, which follows campaigns on several social networking websites calling for the return of the 1980s favourite.

Cadbury previously claimed that almost 14,000 Wispa fans had been using Facebook to press for the chocolate bar to go back on sale, while rival site Bebo has also seen its members campaign for the comeback of the popular treat.

Announcing the decision to re-launch the product, prior to the Wispa going back on sale, Cadbury spokesman Tony Bilsborough said the company had been "bowled over" by the online demand for the return of the chocolate bar.

"We have noticed the web interest for some time and the consumer passion has undeniably swayed our opinion to re-launch Wispa," he said at the time.

"This is the first time that the power of the internet played such an intrinsic role in the return of a Cadbury brand," Mr Bilsborough added.

However the Wispa, which is back after a four-year absence, will only be on sale for a limited period. Fans of the bubbly chocolate bar will therefore have more work to do if they are to convince Cadbury bosses that the Wispa should make a permanent comeback.

The Wispa first hit the shelves of the nation's shops in 1981, when it went on sale in the Tyne Tees area for a trial period. It was subsequently rolled out nationally in 1983, with a number of high-profile comedy duos – including Yes Minister stars Nigel Hawthorne and Paul Eddington – appearing in Wispa adverts over the next two decades.

Cadbury will no doubt be hoping that the re-launch of the Wispa will generate positive headlines for the company, which last week announced plans to close its chocolate factory at Keynsham in Bristol. Cadbury warned that up to 700 jobs could be lost at the site and its Bournville factory under plans to move part of its chocolate production operations to Poland.