by Moira Holden
Staff at Lapland New Forest theme park – dubbed 'crapland' by angry customers – have been under siege, claims its boss.
The park, which costs £25 per head for a ticket, has been at the centre of furious criticism by visitors who have warned the winter wonderland is a 'winter blunderland'.
Labelled a Lapland-style experience, the park on the Hampshire-Dorset border has prompted 1,300 complaints to trading standards officers.
Some worried customers have reported the welfare of the huskies to the RSPCA, have complained about a nativity scene painted on a billboard and panned the 'magical tunnel of lights' as merely lightbulbs on trees. The advertised ice rink is broken.
Now confrontation and recriminations have started. A security guard who quit told the Daily Mail: 'Santa was punched by a furious father who had been waiting in line for four hours.
'He had got to the front only to be told he couldn't take a picture of his children and that they weren't allowed to sit on Santa's lap.
'The family were then told they would have to get in another queue to get their presents. That was the final straw. He marched up to Santa and punched him in the neck and on the chin – it was unbelievable.
'And a girl working as an elf was slapped in the face by a woman who was angry that her children were disappointed. How there weren't riots I have no idea.'
Henry Mears, of Lapland New Forest Ltd, said: 'So far about six of our staff – three elves and three security – have been assaulted and all have been verbally abused.
'One of our elves was slapped and had a pram pushed into her leg which has left a horrible bruise.'
But he insisted: 'I would like to point out that 95 percent of the people who come to the Lapland New Forest are extremely happy with it.'
What do you think about hitting Santa?
Know of any great grottos?
