A WINTER wonderland has been promised for Matchams Park this Christmas.

Nine log cabins, an outdoor ice rink, and giant inflatable slides are some of the attractions planned for an area of land next to the Hurn Road raceway.

Animals “from reindeer to rabbits”, special effects, and “elves” to lead visitors from a 1,300-capacity car park to Santa Claus are also mentioned in a planning application submitted to East Dorset District Council.

Hot and cold seasonal food will be available to visitors, say the applicants, who promise a bustling Christmas market.

The application has been made by Matchams (South Coast) Ltd, which hopes to attract 3,000 visitors a day to the park between November 28 and December 24.

Tickets for the Christmas park will cost £30 for individuals and £25 each for members of family parties, with applicants expecting visits to last between four and six hours.

People living in nearby Matchams Close have been kept informed of the plans by their residents' association, say the applicants. Environment watchdog Natural England and St Leonards and St Ives Parish Council are among those invited by the district to have their say.

An application for a temporary change of use for an area of the park from a facility for motorsport is expected to go before district planners on November 4.