Families left out of pocket after buying £25 tickets to a controversial Lapland-themed event in South Staffordshire have been given their money back, it was announced today.

All 41 customers who shelled out a total of £3,250 on-line for tickets to the festive flop have been refunded. Lapland West Midlands was advertised as a winter wonderland but was dramatically scrapped just a few hours before it was due to open in Essington. It was due to run for two weeks on a field normally reserved for car boot sales.

The event promised huskies, reindeers, real snow, a bungee trampoline and cartoon characters skating on ice.

Due to a number of serious concerns, Staffordshire County Council asked internet payment site PayPal to stop processing all £25 entry tickets.

Councillor Carol Dean, cabinet member for trading standards, said today: “We had very little advance notice that this venture was going to be launched. The investigation into the operation was short and intense.”

“We became satisfied that this event was never going to deliver what customers were being promised at £25 per ticket.”

Councillor Dean described the attraction, which shut down on December 6, as a “joke”. “There was very little there and what there was was a joke – the fantastic ice rink turned out to be plyboard painted white.

“Our priority then became to ensure people received their money back and I am delighted to be able to confirm today that this has now happened.”

Organisers, who admitted they did not have the necessary events licence, said the venture cost them £40,000. Trading standards identified two specific offences on the Lapland West Midlands website.