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Children from a Kent hospice were the lucky first to explore a Christmas wonderland at Bewl Water, near Lamberhurst.

Former hedge fund manager Mike Battle, creator of Lapland UK, hopes that this Christmas more than 50,000 visitors will come to his attraction's four acre site in woodlands.

On Friday some 80 families with children who have been helped by Sittingbourne's Demelza House hospice went to a launch day where many joined the charity's vice president, skating celebrity Jayne Torvill on a real ice rink.

The children visited Father Christmas' toy factory, helped out with the baking at gingerbread house and sent letters from the North Pole post office before heading through snow covered woodland to meet the great man himself in his grotto.

They were able to stroke friendly huskies and visit the reindeer and some quietly listened to tales from native Laplanders in a cosy Saami encampment.

Sue Piper, head of fund-raising at Demelza said: "The children and their families have had the most magical day. For these children going to the real Lapland is something they could never dream of doing. This offers something which is even better, right on their doorstep."

This is Lapland UK's second year, but the first time it has been held at the Bewl Water site. The ice rink, which measures 15 metres by 20 metres, is new for this year.

Tickets are priced from £55 to £85 per person, depending on date. The price includes parking, a hot meal, all activities and a gift from Father Christmas.