TWO brothers behind the controversial Lapland New Forest theme park have appeared in court ahead of their trial.

Victor and Henry Mears were in the dock at Bristol Crown Court yesterday charged with misleading customers.

Both men attended court wearing suits, shirts and ties to face the criminal charges brought by Dorset trading standards in the wake of the attraction’s operation in December 2008.

Victor Mears, who is not represented by a barrister, asked the court for an adjournment while he procured missing papers for his case. His Honour Judge Horton adjourned the case until tomorrow, when the process of selecting a jury will begin.

The jury should be finalised on Thursday before the trial itself can get under way. Victor Mears, 67, of Selsfield Drive, Brighton, and Henry Mears, 60, of Coombe Road, Brighton, both deny the charges. They were released on bail.