Brothers deny Lapland park charge

Trading standards claim the average customer would have been misled

Two brothers who ran a Christmas Lapland park which received thousands of complaints from visitors have denied misleading customers.

Victor and Henry Mears are being prosecuted over their roles in the attraction in the New Forest.

The theme park closed after a few days in the run up to Christmas 2008.

Victor Mears, 66 and Henry Mears, 59, of Brighton, pleaded not guilty to nine charges of engaging in a commercial practice which is a misleading action.

The case, at Bournemouth Crown Court, was adjourned until 22 December.

Dorset County Council trading standards brought about the case under the Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

They claim the average customer would have been misled by newspaper adverts, flyers and website information about what to expect at the attraction.