Helping elves in their toy factory, decorating gingerbread in Mother Christmas� kitchen, ice skating and sending postcards from the North Pole post office were just some of the activities 50 Hampshire families did at LaplandUK in Kent after winning a radio competition.

By teaming up with Heart radio station LaplandUK, the award-winning interactive theatrical production which recreates Father Christmas� arctic homeland, offered Hampshire families the chance to enjoy a taste of Nordic culture in the Kent countryside � poles apart from last year�s shambles in the New Forest created by a separate company which has nothing to do with LaplandUK.

Managing Director Mike Battle explains, �We knew that a great number of families were left in tears last year when another company who had not sufficiently invested in their Christmas attraction closed down. This is our third year of operation at LaplandUK and we know how important a child�s fleeting belief in Father Christmas is. The big man himself asked me to bring some Christmas magic back to the children of the New Forest, so how could I say no?�

Heart breakfast presenters Jules and Bunker took the winners and their families on a coach to the multi-million-pound wonderland spread over ten acres on the Bewl Water Estate. There the children experienced the all the enchantment of meeting Father Christmas who, because parents provide information on each child, �magically� knows everything about his little guests and presents every visitor, young and old alike, with a beautiful gift. This year every child receives a new soft toy husky dog Lumi (which means snow in Finnish).

Mum-of-five Adele Richards had booked Lapland New Forest and not only failed to get a refund but also found that the firm had taken two payments from her account. She said: �The children absolutely loved LaplandUK. They couldn�t believe that around every corner there was something wonderful. The smiles on their faces are amazing.�

Open now until Christmas Eve, tickets are priced from �57.50. LaplandUK is again this year located at Bewl Water Estate, near Tunbridge Wells in Kent, just 40 miles from Central London. Bookings must be completed in advance and can be made on-line at www.laplanduk.co.uk, tel: 0871 221 9627.

A visit to LaplandUK promises a magical �Narnia� type experience where families journey to an enchanted snowy woodland village. Every child receives an elf passport to take on this extraordinary journey and join trainee elf Hokom on a quest to win the golden bell, learn to become a qualified elf and experience the activities and excitement of Father Christmas� home.

Step into this magical world and be transported to a place where Christmas is about anticipation and promise.

Included in the ticket price is a freshly prepared nourishing hot two course meal, with ingredients sourced from local suppliers, and served in a rustic log cabin.

Now in its third year, LaplandUK is again being staged across a 10 acre site at the beautiful Bewl Water Estate in the heart of Kent within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty between the villages of Lamberhurst, Wadhurst and Ticehurst.

www.laplanduk.co.uk

ends

For more information and images please contact Hamilton Consulting Tel: 020 8742 0566

Anita Hamilton m: 07768 778 772 email: Anita@hamiltonconsulting.org.uk

Karen Levesconte m: 07802 502 050 email: Karen@hamiltonconsulting.org.uk

Mike Battle is available for interview

Notes to Editors � LaplandUK is the original Lapland-inspired Christmas experience which was first created in 2007, and is not in any way associated with Lapland New Forest or any other Christmas themed attraction � * LaplandUK is delighted to have been recognised for its innovative twist on a traditional idea by receiving Kent�s 2008 Business Innovation Award � The 2009 season is the third year of operation, all in Kent