Farepak is in the hands of administrators

The Minister for Consumer Affairs, Ian McCartney, will also hold talks with the British Retail Consortium.

Customers of Farepak, owned by European Home Retail, gave money monthly to the firm or its agents towards food hampers for the festive season.

The Swindon-based company ceased trading on 13 October, leaving many customers out of pocket.

Mr McCartney, the Labour MP for Makerfield, warned customers not to turn to loan sharks as Christmas approaches and said he was hoping for a "goodwill gesture" from administrators.

What we're saying is that we don't want them to have nothing at Christmas and what can you do to help the people? Anne Snelgrove MP

BDO Stoy Hayward has been appointed in this role.

It said Farepak was "unable to honour its commitments to make deliveries of any vouchers, hampers or other items" to tens of thousands of customers.

Anne Snelgrove, Labour MP for Swindon South, told Five Live Breakfast on Friday that many of those affected were on low incomes - and she hoped retailers would help.

"I don't think anyone's going to be able to give the full monetary value back to these people, because we're talking thousands of people and thousands and thousands of pounds, she said.

"What we're saying is that we don't want them to have nothing at Christmas and what can you do to help the people?"

Farepak, which also sold TVs, electrical goods and jewellery, employed 35,000 agents across the UK and had been trading since 1969.