HELP is being offered to scores of Crewe families facing a bleak Christmas after a festive hamper company went bust.
Some were left thousands of pounds out of pocket when Swindon mail order firm Farepak stopped trading.
They had been saving all year but were told they will not receive their Christmas turkeys, puddings, gifts and vouchers.
Julie Jennings, who lives in Plane Tree Drive, saved £200 for Christmas. Her disabled brother Paul Betley had also been saving all year to buy two sofas.
She said: 'We are all devastated and have not heard anything since we saw it on the news.'
Her daughter Tracy Edwards, from Sorbus Drive, saved £1,200 and collected £2,961 from friends and family as an agent for the firm.
She said: 'I worked for Farepak for six years. I am heartbroken and feel responsible for all the money I have collected in, which is now lost. I feel bad for everyone else.'
Neighbour Helen Haughan and her mum Shirley both saved £200 for presents.
Mrs Haughan said: 'The money was for my children. Everyone has pulled together so far but we don't know what sort of Christmas we will have.'
Bosses at the non-profit-making Crewe and Nantwich Credit Union have stepped in to offer cheap, protected loans. 

Manager Jeff Saville said: 'We can help people over Christmas and encourage them to save with us next year.'
Crewe Citizens Advice Bureau spokeswoman Sandra Owens said: 'We are advising people to register their claims with the Farepak administrators.
'We have had to tell people that if there is nothing left in a company then it is unlikely they will get anything back and even if there is it could take a long time.'
Farepak customers are advised to cancel direct debits and not give any more money to agents. A claim registration line has been set up on 0870 066 9826.

* For help from Crewe and Nantwich Credit Union, phone 01270 586217.