BEWL Water's Christmas extravaganza is facing tough competition from a rival attraction set to open just eight miles away.

Lapland UK has become one of the biggest events in the UK's festive calendar, with 55,000 parents and children from across the UK visiting the fake snow, log cabins and huskies in 2008.

This year it is hoped 60,000 will attend. But bosses at Paddock Wood's Hop Farm have now revealed that they are also attempting to cash in on the festive market with their own Christmas experience.

Santa's Magical Kingdom will run on the same dates – November 14 to Christmas Eve – and will also give children the chance to meet Santa, his reindeer and shop at a special market.

But the two-and-a-half hour experience will all be undercover.

Hop Farm owner Peter Bull said: "I have been planning a Christmas event of this size for quite a few years.

"It wasn't until I bought the Hop Farm two years ago I knew I had the perfect venue.

"We have designed the event to bring all the fun and magic of Christmas alive for families who are visiting the attraction this year.

"The indoor event is the first one of its kind in Kent, and has been designed to create a magical atmosphere which visitors can enjoy without being exposed to the winter elements. "

But rather than be put off by the competition, Lapland UK owner Mike Battle has said he is relishing reopening the event and loves the fact he is leading the way.

He told the Courier: "Our success last year has firmly established Lapland UK as the premier Christmas experience in the country.

"I'm delighted we are acting as an inspiration for other companies to improve the quality of Christmas events."

Lapland UK tickets cost between £57.50 and £87.50.

The Hop Farm event is expected to cost between £25 and £49 per person.