Families are demanding refunds for the Monster Jam show which came to Manchester Arena at the weekend.

Fans of the monster trucks packed into the venue for two afternoon shows featuring the massive vehicles in action.

Billed as one of the world's biggest live motorsports events, visitors were promised jaw-dropping stunts.

The promotional video for the event saw the giant vehicles flying through the air and performing big air stunts, all on a huge dirt track with huge ramps and other obstacles.

But in Manchester there was a bare concrete floor, with a few low bases and tyres to navigate.

The constraints of the arena gave the trucks little space to build momentum and at certain points they struggled to perform the spinning 'donut' stunts, or get particularly high off the ground.

Saturday's show sparked a flurry of complaints on the Monster Jam Facebook page, with more added after Sunday's show.

Mark Redmond took his son to Saturday's show and said: "We were both mega excited to see the trucks and to be absolutely honest was expecting to see the arena filled with dirt and getting to see the trucks doing the big jumps and tricks that they advertised on the promo videos.

"Well, the trucks were great and everything we hoped to see, however, the layout of the arena was a huge let down. The trucks were clearly very limited to what they could do and the concrete was obviously hard to work with and hard on the trucks as a couple of them broke down and one of the trucks had to retire from the event.

"My son loved them for the sound and the looks, but personally I felt pretty let down. It's not that my expectations were high, it's that my expectations were that I was wanting to see what was advertised, and for me, that was not the case."

Many said Manchester's shows were 'not a patch on' previous shows elsewhere, including Cardiff - where it returns on May 18 - yet ticket prices were just as high.

Mum Rebecca Shaw paid £200 for three tickets for herself and husband Tom Heath to take their five-year-old son Archie along to celebrate his fifth birthday.

She said: "I personally think refunds should be issued or tickets left at alternative venues offered. We would happily travel to Cardiff and pay for accommodation just so our little boy can experience the monster trucks as they should be.

"We were so disappointed with the show and if Manchester wasn’t offered would have been travelling to Cardiff as out five-year-old is a mega fan.

"This was his birthday present and I really would like him to be able to see monster trucks flip and crush and jump cars like I promised. Manchester was a shambles should never have been put on."

Speaking to the M.E.N, Rebecca, from Warrington, added: "It was about 200 pounds for three tickets with the pit passes. I got the best seats as it was for his birthday, but people got the £20 seats and were moved down to where we were sat.

"Archie asked where the dirt was and where the ramps were as soon as we sat down, he asked to go home a few times and said were they just practising as they didn’t do any of the stunts we saw in the promotional videos. He’s asked can we see a proper show.

"He loved meeting them especially Gravedigger's driver as that’s his fave and he was amazing with Archie. To be honest the drivers seemed as frustrated as us they just physically couldn’t preform the stunts with no dirt and ramps and lack of space."

Rebecca's husband Tom said: "The only air stunts being performed were by the guys on motor-cross bikes! Completely mis-advertised. P**s poor show. Should have gone to Cardiff by everyone else’s comments on Monster Jam page."

Promo video for Monster Jam coming to Manchester

The lack of impressive stunts wasn't the only complaint. The cost of ear defenders - at £25 a pair inside the venue - was also criticised.

Lucy Moxon said: "We have been today, the show was OK. Not like the videos posted on your page though. The pit party wasn't what I expected, thought more would be on for the kids, they got bored being there for so long, only queues for signatures.

"My complaint is I hadn't thought to buy ear defenders, charging £25 a pair (I needed two) is absolutely extortionate. I had to rush out and get them as I had a terrified child, that's not memorabilia it's a safety/comfort issue."

Not all feedback was negative though and plenty more event goers said they loved every minute of it.

Janice Craine said: "Concrete is a completely different kettle of fish and the drivers did an amazing job with what they had to work with. I’m just so pleased they didn’t cancel it.

"I understand the price being the same because a smaller venue sells less bums on seats but it still costs to put it on, staff, drivers, shipment from America, hotels etc. The price was not an issue for me as I didn’t think it was expensive - not compared to the music concerts which are way overpriced.

"I think Manchester was put on due to public demand from us in the UK as we can’t all get to Cardiff, I certainly can’t. I’m sure they must have asked the football stadiums but obviously they’ve said no. Monster Jam is about big, I’m convinced (the arena) was not their first choice.

"We had an amazing view, and with great sound that I’m sure you don’t get in the massive venues and we came away delighted. We are treating this as a starter and hopefully next time we can make the longer journey to a bigger stadium. But at least we’ve seen them and in our eyes that’s better than not seeing them at all."

Dan Loveday was equally delighted.

He said: "Fulfilled a lifetime ambition today (I'm 37) by seeing Monster Jam at Manchester, truly lived up to everything I thought it would. Will definitely being going again.

"Drivers did a great job on the concrete arena, now need to see them outdoors at speed. We travelled two and a half hours to get to Manchester and was worth every second, top job."

As was Nicola Harrison, who added: "Went with my husband and two boys, three and eight, today in Manchester. Was a bit worried after hearing yesterday's negative comments. But we all had a fab time.

"Knew they were going to be loud so the boys took ear defenders. Gutted no mud jumps or many stunts but overall fab. Motorbikes were an added bonus."

Monster Jam has been responding to comments on its Facebook page and asking people to email customerserviceeurop@feldinc.com to discuss it further.

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A spokesperson for Monster Jam said: "It is always our intention that every audience member at our shows experiences a thrilling and memorable time at Monster Jam, however Feld Entertainment welcomes all feedback on our shows as the comments we receive allow us to create better shows in the future.

"We want as many people to have access to Monster Jam as possible and so we visit cities all over the world. However due to the limitations of this arena, it was not possible to put on a full dirt event. If you attended this event and would like to provide feedback please comment at customerserviceeurop@feldinc.com and we’ll be happy to discuss further."