Asda shoppers have been handed free cash from the supermarket as a surprise gift ahead of Christmas.
Hundreds of thousands of customers received the money under the retailer 's loyalty programme.
Customers who sign up to the scheme can earn vouchers, giving them money off their food bill.
Rewards are put into a cash pot within their account before being applied.
But the rewards scheme has had issues with the pots failing to update, meaning thousands of shoppers did not get their reward.
Customers complained that the cash had vanished and in some cases, even been used.
The retail giant has since reimbursed those who missed out by adding £5 for free.
One customer said the initiative has been called a "colleague incentive" to ensure the accounts can be topped up with the free money in time for Christmas.
Lots of customer pots have already been credited
The cash has already been added to many customers' pots and we've asked Asda when it expects to complete all payments.
According to comments on Facebook, there is no minimum spend to get the £5, and we've asked Asda to confirm this.
Shoppers don't need to do anything to get the £5.
Usually, customers have to complete 'missions' to gain cash in their pots.
Customers who have recently lost Asda Rewards are advised to contact Asda customer services or head into their local store and speak to staff.
A spokesperson for Asda told the Mirror Online: "Millions of customers are enjoying Asda Rewards and have earned in excess of £50m into their Cashpots since launch.
"After noticing a small number of customer Cashpots were taking longer to update than normal, we have topped these up with £5 for customers to spend on their big Christmas shop."
Asda also recently extended its 10 per cent discount for emergency workers.
The offer is applied at the checkout for customers who show their Blue Light Card at the till.
This includes NHS workers, emergency services, social care workers and the armed forces.
Asda said the scheme will now continue until at least the end of March.
The retailer said it is continuing the scheme to "acknowledge the amazing work they do each day to keep everyone safe."
Last minute shoppers can top up their Christmas supplies at Asda until midnight on December 23.
Many stores will also open on Christmas Eve with some locations open until 7pm.
Like most major supermarkets, stores will be closed on Christmas Day before reopening on Boxing Day.
