Victims who lost all their Christmas savings when the Farepak scheme collapsed have told of their 'elation' at news its owners could soon be dragged before the courts.

The savers, some of whom lost £1,000s when the hamper firm folded, have already waited 20 months to hear whether anyone would be held responsible for the fiasco.

Last week the Companies Investigation Branch (CIB) announced it had finally completed its official report into Farepak and was seeking advice on whether the evidence merits legal action.

Maria Hooper, of Burns Avenue, Feltham, who worked as a Farepak agent for 30 years, said: "We'd be pleased as punch if the company directors ended up in court. I really think someone should be held responsible for what happened to us last Christmas."

Nearly £40million of customers' savings were lost when the Swindon-based firm went bankrupt in October 2006, leaving dozens of families in Feltham and Hounslow out of pocket just before Christmas.

Alan Keen, MP for Feltham and Heston, said: "This fiasco devastated many local families in the weeks before Christmas in 2006 and this must not be allowed to happen again."

For the full story see this week's Hounslow Chronicle