Ricky Gervais has appealed for his lost scripts for The Office to be returned as a "Christmas present for the nation".

Two 100-page scripts for the final episodes were mistakenly sent to Joanne Hiley's home in Saffron Walden, Essex, even though they were intended for a technician called Andy, who also lives in the town.

And yesterday she hinted that she would sell them to the highest bidder.

Gervais told Radio One: "I would say to the papers - don't publish it. Buy it and give it back as a little Christmas present for the nation."

Asked about Ms Hiley, he said: "If she sells it and they print it, all it will do is ruin it a bit for some people. I've never spoken to her - I won't speak to her and I certainly won't beg for it back.

"She can do what she wants with it but what she shouldn't do is sell it to a newspaper to publish the plot of a TV programme that is fun to watch when you don't know the outcome.

"It's just a shame, isn't it? Even the actors didn't get full scripts unless it was absolutely necessary so this is just a terrible mistake."

The final shows are scheduled for BBC1 on Boxing Day and December 27.