TRADING standards officers say it may be some time before they know whether any legal action can be taken against the owners of Lapland New Forest for misleading customers.

Dorset County Council says it is looking at various options, including how to help disappointed visitors get their money back from the company behind the doomed attraction at Matchams, near Ringwood.

But the authority said it could be some time before it knows exactly what it has the power to do after calling in legal experts to advise them.

Up to 50,000 people are thought to have bought tickets to the park, costing £30 each or £100 for a family, which would have raked in about £2m for organisers.

Retrieving cash from the firm, headed by convicted fraudster Victor Mears, may still prove difficult.

Despite repeated attempts to contact Mr Mears, he has refused to talk to reporters over Lapland New Forest, which closed after complaints from scores of disappointed families, including reports of Santa being beaten up and elves being manhandled off the site.

The terms and conditions on the back of the tickets stated: “This ticket will not be replaced, refunded or exchanged for any reason. Shipping, handling and service charges are non-refundable even if the event is cancelled.”

Anyone who spent £100 or more on tickets using a credit card is being advised to contact their card companies, who may be jointly liable.

Those who bought tickets on a debit card should call their bank to see if they can get cash back.

Mr Mears, jailed in 1986 for a £500,000 VAT fraud, has blamed sabotage and negative press coverage for the park, which attracted more than 2,000 complaints, closing last Thursday.

Trading standards is advising anyone concerned about getting a refund on their tickets to call Consumer Direct on 08454 040 506.