The Farepak collapse caused distress for families

It is estimated up to 3,000 people in Northern Ireland lost money after the English company ceased trading.

A spokesperson said they want the views of every person affected from Northern Ireland taken into account during the government inquiry into the collapse.

The Christmas hamper firm went into administration last October.

Farepak customers paid monthly sums to the firm or its agents towards vouchers or food hampers for the festive season.

However, when the company went into administration, it left them with limited hopes of compensation.

Carol Edwards of the Consumer Council said: "Thousands of people found themselves facing a bleak Christmas last year through no fault of their own.

"Having saved diligently for months, they found themselves out of pocket with little prospect of getting their money back.

"We want to hear these stories and any ideas about how we can develop better ways to save that offer better protection for our money. "

Victims were warned last month they would get no more than 5p in every pound they lost when the firm failed. More than 150,000 people lost an average of �400.

Administrators now hope to move the firm into voluntary liquidation - which would allow its assets to be sold and turned into cash to pay off creditors.