A Christmas-themed visitor attraction is to open in Bedgebury Forest in Kent later this year.

The site, called Lapland UK, will launch on 24 November and stay open for five weeks.

The scheme is the brainchild of Mike Battle, who wanted to create the feel of visiting Lapland without the need to fly.

Visitors to the park will receive a personal invitation from Father Christmas in the post, and upon arrival to the gates of the attraction will be greeted by uniformed Air Lapland staff who will check ‘passengers’ in for a fantasy flight.

After completing the flight with Raymond Brggs’ The Snowman, visitors will exit the transport and enter the ice and snow-covered forest.

The park will use special effect snow commonly used in films to create the feel of a wintery, enchanted forest.

All guest will have a timed ticket and will be able to roam the themed area for around four hours, with attractions including a toy factory, a Sami village and a Christmas market.

Children will be able to discover the Lapland’s animals, such as reindeer and husky dogs, in flesh, and pen a letter to Father Christmas before meeting him at the end of their visit.

The entire site will be temporary and according to founder Mike Battle will have no lasting environmental impact on the 2,000-acre Bedgebury Forest.

Battle also has plans to roll out the concept across the UK.