Hamper customers to receive help

The firm's collapse in October caused problems for many families

Clackmannanshire residents who lost money in the collapse of the Farepak hamper firm will receive payments from an appeal fund in time for Christmas.

The failed company ran a hamper and voucher savings scheme and thousands of families across the UK have been left counting the cost.

The council fund, which stands at £10,000, will help people who collectively lost more than £140,000.

Applicants will receive a small payout, based on the amount they lost.

Local residents, including council staff and businesses people, have rallied to support the fund by making donations.

Clackmannanshire provost Derek Stewart said: "I think we were all surprised by the scale of the Farepak situation and the amount of money lost by individual families."

About 150,000 people across the country are estimated to have lost a total of up to £50m when Farepak collapsed in October.