Two youngsters who saw their presents destroyed in an arson attack on their home enjoyed a brighter Christmas than expected - thanks to generous Telegraph & Argus readers.

Julia Abbey feared it would be a bleak festive period for her young family after the blaze in Woodend Crescent, Windhill, Shipley, earlier this month.

They had a lucky escape when firefighters plucked them to safety from an upstairs window with the fire raging in the hallway below. But since the family's plight was featured in the T&A, Julia, pictured with Bethany and Ben, has been inundated with gifts for six-year-old Bethany and her brother Ben, four.

The family spent Christmas Day at Julia's father's one-bedroom flat in Shipley. And the youngsters had some presents to open - after T&A readers donated dozens of toys and other gifts to the family.

One reader even held a collection in her street to raise cash for the family and they received support from the children's school.

Today Julia said: "There were loads and loads of presents for the children - it was unbelievable. I had to take photographs just to show people how many they got.

"There were games, clothes and everything you could think of really. It's the most they've ever had.

''My dad's hallway was full of toys, as was the living room, the bedroom and the kitchen. It would have been such a miserable Christmas without all this help. I managed to get some things out of the house, but everything was blackened with the smoke.

"We are so grateful to everyone who has given things. It is incredible."

But she said there was one Christmas present that the children couldn't have.

"They both said that what they really wanted was to go home for Christmas," Julia said. "I told them that I wanted to go home too, but we can't at the moment."

A nine-year-old boy was questioned and released by police investigating the suspected arson attack. No one has been arrested.