Paula Vennells faces calls to return millions in bonuses and pension after handing back her CBE in Post Office scandal

However, some campaigners said her decision to hand the honour back was a "token gesture".

There have been calls for Vennells to face "real justice" amid the scandal.

The 65-year-old pocketed as much as £5million for being in charge during the Horizon IT scandal in which hundreds of postmasters were wrongfully prosecuted, bankrupted and jailed.

Now, in the wake of the ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office, Vennells is facing calls to return £2.93million in performance-related perks and payments in lieu of pension.

Jo Hamilton, who was wrongfully convicted in 2008 of stealing thousands of pounds from the village shop in South Warnborough, Hampshire, said: "It shows the people have spoken – about everything really.

"It’s not just about her CBE, it’s about how disgusting the whole thing is. We’re all sick and tired of people taking money, being paid exorbitant amounts of money, and politicians taking absolutely no notice of you whatsoever… I think the people are just sick of it."

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Will Harrison, whose postmistress mother Sam died last year without proper redress for the losses inflicted on her, said: "Giving back her CBE is trivial when people's lives were destroyed. She absolutely must hand back her bonus money, because she should never have had it in the first place.

"She was paid this fortune from a fraudulent pot of money that came indirectly from the pockets of the sub postmasters – many of whom were left destitute."

However, Post Office minister Kevin Hollinrake refused to be drawn on whether she should return her bonuses from the role, saying he did not agree with "trial by media".

He did agree that Vennells has done the “right thing” by handing back her CBE.

Campaigner and former sub-postmaster Chris Trousdale said: "Paula Vennells should be stripped of her wealth, pension and reputation, just like the sub-postmasters were.

"The execs' bonuses, their pensions and their pay were based on figures inflated by victims' money.

"It's disgusting that our money ended up directly in the pockets of bigwigs like Paula Vennells who are now living lives of luxury."

The Prime Minister's spokesman said Downing Street "wouldn't want to see anyone financially benefiting out of this scandal".