Dorset County Council Trading Standards department who brought the case against the pair under consumer protection laws said “it would not be in the public interest” to pursue the Mears brothers further.

It revealed that the prosecution cost £98,000 in legal fees and officer time.

Dorset County Council cabinet member for community services Hilary Cox said: “We are deeply disappointed that the convictions of the Mears brothers in connection with the New Forest Lapland attraction have been rendered unsafe due to the conduct of a juror at the original trial.

“However, we recognised it would not be in the public interest to request a re-trial, particularly as the events took place almost three years ago and that prison sentences have been served by both men.”