Lapland attraction needs licence

Organisers have begun setting up the attraction

A Lapland-style attraction which is set to open on Saturday does not yet have an entertainment licence, a Staffordshire council has said.

Reindeer, marquees, indoor skating, music and a fair are among plans for Lapland West Midlands, near Essington.

South Staffordshire District Council said it first heard about the plans on 27 November, and that paperwork was needed before the event could go ahead.

But organisers have said the issues could be resolved in the next two days.

Council spokesman David Pattison said they would be monitoring the situation carefully.

"If the event takes place as described on the website, it would need a licence," he said.

If it goes ahead without a licence, the organisers would be committing a criminal offence, he added.

He said an event on this scale should have been planned "well in advance".

Ettingshall Parish Council have also raised concerns about increased traffic at the site.

However, some residents have said they were looking forward to visiting the attraction.