The two men behind Lapland New Forest, brothers Victor and Henry Mears, faced a jury today accused of eight charges of selling misleading advertising.

Instead of the promised magical festive treat, visitors experienced fairy lights hung from trees and a broken ice rink.

Within days of the attraction opening in November 2008, hundreds of disgruntled visitors to the park on the Hampshire-Dorset border complained to trading standards they had been ripped off, Bristol Crown Court heard.

Less than a week later the attraction closed, with the theme park's owners blaming the media and sabotage from ''New Forest villains'' for the decision.

Click to read more from the trial