Farepak customers who feared the company's demise would mean they had to cancel Christmas were still able to enjoy a low key December 25, thanks to donations from the public.

People across the county lost hundreds of pounds after 11 months worth of deposits in the Christmas gift and hamper business disappeared when the company went into administration.

Initially, it was feared Farepak would be unable to offer customers anything, but thanks to national publicity, donations poured in from businesses, members of the public and even celebrities such as Myleene Klass.

It meant Farepak clients were able to receive about 15 per cent of their Christmas vouchers for hampers or presents.

Helen Boore had handed over £900 to the company over the course of the last 12 months and although she was disappointed to have only received £155 in vouchers, she said it was nice to be able to give her family something for Christmas.

Mrs Boore, of Greater Leys, who has six children, said: "I did not expect to get that much, so I was over the moon. I was able to buy some things and I am lucky in the fact that my boys are not that young, so they fully understand.

"It was not a normal Christmas, the kids would have normally got a lot more presents. It does not go far between that many people, but I did really appreciate all the people that had given money to this fund because we would not have had anything without it."

She added: "One good thing that came out of it was that because they did not expect to get anything, the kids really appreciated the small things they got on Christmas Day. It was a different Christmas, but we still enjoyed ourselves."

Carol Randell, of Furlong Close, Blackbird Leys, had been an agent for Farepak for 20 years until the collapse. She had £500 invested in Christmas food hampers and vouchers for presents.

Although she did receive some food, she donated it to her 80-year-old next door neighbour, who had also lost a lot of money.

She said: "It was disappointing, but if there is not enough to go around what can you do? Some people have got little kids and there were some people who were much worse off than me. How are they supposed to manage?

"They haven't had as much as they normally would, but I could not let the kids miss out and I have got into debt over Christmas along with everyone else.

"The people I have collected the vouchers for are my friends and they have all been let down. I feel really bad for them even though they all understood it wasn't my fault."