Lapland Holiday Park Log Cabins "Turned Out To Be A Few Sheds"

Many people have demanded a refund of the £25 they paid to enter the Lapland New Forest, at Matchams Leisure Park on the Hampshire-Dorset border.

Several visitors have contacted the BBC saying the standard is extremely poor and does not resemble marketing photos.

Organiser Henry Mears said: "We don't believe we ripped anyone off."

He blamed "a few groups of professional troublemakers" for the allegations over the attraction which opened on Friday.

"Like all people they like to get into queues and just generate a bit of aggravation.

The two reindeer were obviously not enjoying their surroundings and the 'log cabins' were a few green painted sheds

April Chantler

"What is not here that we haven't advertised?" he added.

More than 250 people have joined three Facebook groups about the park, with many demanding refunds.

Some said they had contacted the RSPCA about the animals on site.

The park's website, which became unavailable on Monday afternoon, had shown pictures of snowy scenes and icicles, and promised real log cabins, a nativity scene, husky dogs and other animals, as well as a "bustling" Christmas market.

It said: "We can assure you of an absolutely magical scene... just look how real and cold the 'snow' appears to be."

But some visitors said that what they experienced was "disorganised chaos" and "hell".

They have complained that, once inside the park, they had to pay more to use the attractions.

People said the Chistmas market was far from "bustling"
In pictures

Some also said that the animals looked unhappy and the facilities, including a broken ice rink, were poor.

Amanda Goodenough, of Blandford, Dorset, told the BBC she paid £150 for tickets for her family.

The park was "a complete misrepresentation, leaving my children heartbroken," she complained.

"The advertisement lends you to believe that this is a snow-covered Lapland village with Hollywood special effects and a bustling Christmas market with an ice rink.

"The website is totally misleading, including photographs which bear no relation to the reality which awaits you on entry."

'Chained' huskies

April Chantler, of Dibden Purlieu, Hampshire, described the park as "hell".

"The huskies were chained up in a pen howling, yapping and generally looking thin and unhappy.

"The two reindeer were obviously not enjoying their surroundings and the 'log cabins' were a few green painted sheds with more or less nothing in them."