A WIDOW upset after a letter was sent to her dead husband was overwhelmed when the firm apologised -- by buying a donkey for African villagers on her behalf!

Jean Place said the gesture of goodwill made up for the distress caused when a letter offering free Scottish Power lightbulbs was sent to her husband Tommy -- who has been dead for 14 years.

And the 66-year-old, of Johnston Street, Blackburn, said she was so amazed by Rossendale-based printers Colourfolio's attempts to make amends for their mistake that she would overlook the fact that the letter of apology was again addressed incorrectly, this time to a Mr Price.

Mrs Place said: "When I phoned the operator to claim my free lightbulbs I told them that they had made a mistake when addressing the letter and that my husband was dead.

"The girl who I spoke to was so kind and apologetic that I thought that was the end of it and was already quite satisfied with their apology.

"You can imagine my surprise when another letter arrived to apologise formally for any distress been caused.

"They then went on to say they had teamed up with Oxfam and had bought a donkey, home-based care kits and school dinners for 200 children on my behalf.

"I was absolutely amazed and actually came close to tears reading the letter -- it was so moving.

"I always want to help charities like Oxfam but as a pensioner, I can't afford to do much more than put change in collection jars.

"To know people in Africa are benefiting from this has really made my day and has more than made up for their mistake."

Colourfolio, which is based in Waterside Road, Haslingden, spent a total of £378 making amends and bought items from Oxfam which included the donkey, school dinners for 200 and a water filter system.

Sales director Kevin Griffin said: "We understand the letter in question was addressed to a lost relative, something which was bound to cause distress and despite our best efforts was something that was clearly not supposed to happen.

"As responsible professionals and with it being close to Christmas, we didn't just want to apologise but also do something to really make amends.

"Again I can only apologise to Mrs Place that the second letter was addressed incorrectly and hope she accepts the letter in the spirit it was intended."