A REDDITCH mum has branded it "disgusting" after a much-criticised Christmas attraction, designed by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, closed down permanently leaving thousands of families fighting for refunds.

The Magical Journey at the Belfy Golf Club, near Sutton Coldfield, opened last month and was shut down on the first say after hundreds of complaints were received and later reopened.

But now the event organisers say they have no alternative but to close it for good after, they alleged, a key financial backer dropped out.

Mum Becky Gribben, from Greenlands, in Redditch, bought tickets for her son Declan, aged five, her husband, and herself, in October, paying £52.

She said: "I am absolutely disgusted. They are just letting thousands of people down, just before Christmas.

"Thankfully I never told Declan about it us going but we were all looking forward to a fantastic day out together and his dad booked the day off work especially. We wanted to give a magical Christmas experience.

"I have tried to arrange something else, but of course everything is booked up this close to Christmas.

"And because the amount we spent was less than £100, it doesn't even look like I will be able to get a refund.

"A lot of people will lose money that they simply can't afford to waste this near to Christmas. It's horrendous."

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen said that he had only heard about the closure through Twitter and had been shocked.

A message on the Magical Journey website page said: "We are really sorry to have to tell you this, but as of tomorrow (Tuesday 16th December 2014) The Magical Journey, based at The Belfry, Sutton Coldfield, will no longer be in operation.

"We are truly sorry. After all we’ve been through having to shutdown in the final week is devastating."

The attraction had been due to operate until Christmas Eve.