COMEDIAN Ricky Gervais has launched Oxfam’s new gift range for Christmas.

The 48-year-old star of The Office is allowing the charity to use five characters from his Flanimal books to go on gift cards dedicated to specific areas of Oxfam’s work.

He called in at the Oxfam shop, in Broad Street, Oxford, to work behind the till and launch the range of cards, the proceeds of which will go towards work the charity often finds hard to fund.

Mr Gervais said: “Everyone thought Flanimals were useless – I did. But this year they’re helping Oxfam change the world.

“There are five Flanimal gifts to choose from and the money goes to different things.

“It might improve sanitation – give someone clean water. It might give people a voice if they're oppressed. It might help general humanitarian work, or it might go towards the prevention of HIV and Aids.”

The Flanimal gifts will be stocked alongside the more traditional Oxfam Unwrapped gifts, such as goats and seeds.

Paul Vanags, from the charity, said: “Whether you buy one of the fantastic Flanimals, or a more familiar gift, such as feeding a family, safe water or a goat, these gifts really do make a massive difference to people’s lives around the world.”

Since its launch five years ago, the Unwrapped gift range has raised more than £50m.