DURHAM MP Roberta Blackman-Woods wants to hear from constituents who lost money with the collapse of the hamper and savings firm Farepak.

The Labour MP has given £150 to the compensation fund set up to help people who suffered when the firm went into administration.

Donations closed on Wednesday and were expected to have raised more than £5.8m - about a tenth of the money lost - giving people about 15p for every pound.

Mrs Blackman-Woods said: "A number of constituents have already been in touch to let me know that their Christmases have effectively been cancelled because of the actions of this company.

"I think, however, that this may be the tip of the iceberg and I am appealing for all my constituents who had invested in Farepak to contact me.

"The collapse of Farepak was a tragedy for hundreds of families across Durham, but thanks to countless people as well as companies and organisations, we may be able to save Christmas for these people."

Constituents are asked to write to Mrs Blackman-Woods at 26 Market Place, Durham, DH1 3NJ.