Winter wonderland event is cancelled after furious customers arrived to find a grotto in a barn, a rundown Christmas tree and an ice rink made of plastic slates.
A winter wonderland event in Northern Ireland has apologised to customers after it was forced to close.
The organisers of the event admitted to falling short of expectations, and pictures and video on social media show the poor attempts of decorating to give the site a festive feel.
Photographs circulating online show half-finished decorations, boxes strewn across the floor and an ice rink without any ice. Children were videoed desperately trying to push their way around the rink, but to no avail.
Photographs posted on social media show ice rink made out of plastic slates and children struggling to make their way across the surface
Disappointed customers have also vented their frustration at the planners after they were told they could have to wait 28 days for a refund.
Paul Breen, from Downpatrick in Co Down, paid £50 for his family-of-four to attend the event at the Clandeboye estate in Bangor, Co Down.
They were among the first to arrive on Saturday morning and he said his children were disappointed with the presents they received.
He said: 'Winter Wonderland should be renamed - "Nightmare on Elm Street". I've seen some Santa's in my time but today's Santa was awful. My kids could see his elastic beard.'
'The grotto was a barn and it was a rundown Christmas tree. There was nothing magical at all.'
The decorations at the Winter Wonderland event were hanging off the wall and stuck on top of photographs
The fairy lights at the venue were left in a bunch and not properly strung out across the walls
Barbara Wallace went to the event on Saturday night with her husband and two children, aged five and eight.
She said: 'The ice was actually plastic.
'My kids were "skating" for five minutes and were told it was closing in 10 minutes, despite us only arriving and bookings were taken until at least 7pm.'
The event at the estate was not organised or associated with the grounds, which is hired out for weddings or functions.
It was due to run this week but has now been closed down.
A statement posted on Facebook said: 'Winter NI would like to apologise for the Bangor Winter Wonderland event which has fallen way short of our expectations.
Some of the ice skates were left on the floor as there was no room left on the rack
A ladder and a table was left in view of the public at the opening of the Winter Wonderland event
Wooden panels in the shape of a Christmas tree were left outside. Panels were left out of place and disjointed on some of the trees
'For this reason it has been decided to cancel the event from tomorrow morning, Monday 18th December. For anyone already on their way today we are remaining open until 8pm.
'Whilst we understand that this will be greatly disappointing to many we feel we can not recover from the negative publicity and it is clear that we have hosted an event which has not met the high standards we had aimed to deliver.'
Organisers have promised that all ticket holders for the period December 18-23 will be given a full refund.
They said: 'On behalf of all involved we sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and disappointment caused.'
A handful of people make their way aroudn the threadbare site. The event at the estate was not organised or associated with the grounds, which is hired out for weddings or functions
Customers have been promised a refund by the event organisers. There were only a couple of food stalls at the site too
Visitors to the Winter Wonderland said they were disappointed with the Santa Claus at the site in Clandeboye Estate
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