Children were left "heartbroken" and in tears by a "rip-off" children's fun day, according furious parents who have branded the event a "disgrace" and a "complete waste of time".

Families paid up to £15 per day ticket for the Kidz Fest festival in Orsett, Essex, which promised an "array of interactive activities" including craft workshops, circus skills classes and a jungle-themed zone.

However, angry parents said when they arrived on Saturday they found only a handful of free attractions including a castle made of old crisp boxes while they were expected to shell out more money on fairground rides and food.

Essex police were called in as parents and stall-holders demanded their money back from organiser Tom Kembery.

Mr Kembery has since pledged parents they will get their money back if they complain but insisted that they had provided what they promised.

The event promised a 'unique weekend' Credit: Facebook/Kidz Fest

Hundreds of people have now joined a group demanding refunds for the event which some branded the "worst day ever".

Attendee Charlotte Pether posted photos showing unhappy ticket-holders remonstrating with staff on the day.

Mother Chloe Skinner said she paid out over £60 for her family of four -only to see her children "heartbroken" to be told they couldn't go on the rides as the family could not afford the extra expense.

"We pretty much paid £61.40 to park our car," she wrote on the group.

"Even I was crying on the way home feeling guilty the surprise we was taking them to turned out to be a complete waste of time."

Vicky Pontefract also told BBC Essex there were "a lot of tears where kids couldn't go on anything".

Police were called into calm tensions at the Kidz Fest in Essex Credit: Facebook /Charlotte Pether

It was so upsetting when we arrived to see what was a very small 'fete' with expensive rides and few disgusting toilets. This guy should be ashamed of himself and the fact that he showed no guilt or remorse is just awful. Joanne Boxer

Organiser Mr Kembery has since taken to social media to promise refunds for anyone disappointed.

"We have offered refunds to customers of Kidz Fest who were unhappy as a guesture (sic) of good will and this is by no means an admission of any liability of wrong doings," he wrote on the group's page.

He was not immediately available for further comment.

Essex police confirmed they were contacted "following a disturbance" at the event.

"The disturbance was following a civil dispute between attendees and the organisers of the show.

"Officers attended to prevent breach of the peace and offered words of advice to attendees."