08 THE CONTROVERSIAL Lapland New Forest has closed.

Dorset police were called to the site this morning over fears of a public order disturbance.

Police confirmed it was closing after they were called.

A sign outside the entrance to the park says New Forest Lapland has closed and urges customers to contact the organisation's website.

Reports from the entrance also say that the fun fair appears to be packing up and animals seem to be being moved off the site.

According to unconfirmed reports the attraction that has been at the centre of a storm of criticism has closed its doors to the public.

Families have been inundating trading standards with some 2,000 complaints since the site at Matchams Lane near Ringwood opened last weekend.

Reports of elves being attacked and Father Christmas being beaten up in his grotto led to scores of complaints and families refusing to go to the attraction that was charging upwards of £30 per ticket.

The attraction has been all but deserted over the past few days since the complaints started flooding in but now reports suggest the site has been closed.

A source close to the Lapland site said staff have been told it is now closed for business.

“When staff turned up at 12 o clock they were turned away from the gate and told everything was being packed up” he said.

“The donkeys and other animals are being loaded into horseboxes and the fairground is being packed up. First aid people have also been told they won’t be needed any more.

“It is chaos at the moment because the traffic situation is really bad and customers are turning up expecting Lapland to be open. There are going to be a lot of disappointed people.”

A Dorset County Council spokesman said: "We are aware that the Lapland New Forest theme park at Matchams near Ringwood has closed.

"Circumstances are not yet clear but Dorset County Council's trading standards service has not closed the site down, as it does not have the powers to do so. However, trading standards' investigations into Lapland New Forest are continuing.

"People who have bought tickets for the event and are concerned about getting a refund are advised to call Consumer Direct on 08454 040506."