Brothers Victor and Henry Mears will face trial in connection with the Lapland New Forest park, which caused a local uproar in December 2008.

The pair face nine charges of misleading consumers over what they called a 'magical Christmas experience' that they had set up at Matchams on the Hampshire Dorset border. Appearing at Bournemouth Magistrates, the pair plead not guilty and the case was referred to Bournemouth Crown Court.

The Lapland New Forest attraction, owned and operated by the brothers, was forced to shut down after less than a week and after more than 2,000 complaints were lodged with local councils and the RSPCA within the first four days of operation.

The attraction's website promised visitors a "place where dreams come true", with a "bustling christmas market, seasonal foods, a magical light tunnel and live animals".

After paying up to £30 for entry, visitors found that the attraction consisted of fair ground rides most associated with travelling fairs, a pack of husky dogs chained to their kennels, a replica of a polar bear and a collection of burger stalls and fish and chips stands.

The charges have been brought by Dorset Trading Standards and the brothers are accused of misleading consumers through advertisements in newspapers, on a website and in flyers.