The boss of a winter blunderland faces prosecution after a record 5,000 complaints and told The Argus: "I don't care."

Victor Mears and his son Henry could be taken to court by trading standards after customers branded the Lapland New Forest park a shambles.

People paid up to £30 a ticket but instead of the snow-covered winter wonderland they discovered a muddy field, a broken ice rink, squabbling elves and a Santa who would frequently light up a ciggie.

Trading standards last night revealed it wants to take legal action against Brighton-based Lapland New Forest Ltd after describing it as an unmitigated disaster.

Yesterday, The Argus again approached Victor Mears, the company director, at his home in Selsfield Drive, Brighton.

When The Argus asked for a comment on the investigation, the 65-year-old shouted through his front door: "Go away you scum bag. I don't care." Sales of about 50,000 tickets are believed to have netted Mr Mears company up to £2 million.

Last night, Dorset County Council's trading standards manager Ivan Hancock said: "It attracted a record number of calls for any consumer issue.

"We are investigating both the company and also individuals involved.

"The investigation is progressing well and we have made it a priority.

"We want to take legal action and are taking advice from a specialist consumer barrister and the Office of Fair Trading."