NINETY families in the Keighley area have had their Christmas celebrations saved thanks to a huge gift from a Skipton property company.

Brian Verity and Ann Cryer deliver early xmas present

The families, many of them pensioners, had saved up all year to buy Christmas hampers and presents from the hamper company Farepack but the company has collapsed, threatening to take the festivity out of the festive season for their customers.

A campaign to raise £30,000 to help the victims was launched by the staff of local MP Ann Cryer and a local community group, Keighley Together, and Skipton Properties have donated £10,000 to the fund.

"We were delighted that within a few minutes of launching the appeal that Skipton Properties responded with this generous pledge of £10, 000," said Mark Taylor, Mrs Cryer's assistant, who organised the campaign.

Said Brian Verity, Skipton Properties managing director: "It is extremely disappointing and heartbreaking for these families - some of who lost hundreds of pounds after saving money with Farepak for Christmas. We hope our donation will go some way towards helping make Christmas a little easier for those who have been affected."

The company has donated more than £120,000 to local community groups and charities in the past year alone, and this year nominated Manorlands Hospice as its 'Charity of the Year' - doubling its donation to £20,000 as part of its 20th anniversary festivities.