Organisers of Crystal Palace Winterfest in South London say bad weather over the last week has forced the event to close permanently.

Glossy promotional pictures posted on the event website showed friends laughing over a beer, loved-up couples enjoying hot drinks, and children enjoying an ice rink.

But the reality was a far cry from the enticing images that lured punters to the festive celebrations in Crystal Palace Park.

The festival was plagued with complaints about its response to the December weather during its short opening.

An ice skating rink that cost £12 for adults and £8.50 for kids was shut because the area around it was deemed too slippy due to snow.

People who had booked in advance blasted the move online, saying they were not informed until they turned up expecting fun on the ice.

One mum said her kids were in tears after Santa failed to turn up to his grotto because he was stuck in the snow as he tried to travel down from Nottingham.

The Winterfest may have been branded south London’s alternative to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland but guests slammed the offering as “a let-down”.

Pictures of the site posted to Facebook show rides covered in snow and the whole site turned into a muddy mess.

One Twitter user wrote: “I went on Saturday evening and to be frank, it's more than a bit cr**. Certainly not what I had in mind for a cosy, festive run up to Christmas.”

Another said: “It was a bit of a let down. No Santa’s grotto, the ice rink wasn’t up and running, no good Christmas stalls.

“0 out of 10, glad we didn’t have to pay to get in.”

While Sarah Fok-seang said her visit had not been as expected with large swathes of the festival shut due to bad weather.

She said: “Santa’s Grotto: Not there today as he lives in Nottingham and couldn’t get down due to the snow on the motorway, they haven’t booked another Santa for the rest of the time in case this happens again.

“Ice skating: closed today due to the weather, not their fault it’s for health and safety reasons it’s very slippery, any tickets booked will be refunded. No seating for spectators outside.

“Giant observation wheel: As you may know couldn’t be put up due to high winds previously but will be delivered Monday ready for Wednesday.”

A spokesman for the festival told The Sun: “The event has been cancelled due to the adverse weather conditions we have been experiencing and the impacts it has had on the event as a whole, keeping in mind health and safety the Ferris wheel was unable to open due to this.

“Because of this also there were some difficulties our staff had with travel over the weekend.

“We are afraid the weather has closed some of our attractions and unfortunately this decision has been made.

“All online bookings will be processed and refunds will be made within 7 days from today.”

Customers with online bookings have received an email from festival organisers apologising for the inconvenience of the closure, and promising their money will be back with them as soon as possible.