A highly anticipated monster truck show has been labelled an “absolute rip off” after its star attraction failed to climb over cars and broke down.

MotorFest was billed as showcasing “jaw-dropping stunts, heart-racing races, and massive tire-crushing action” at Manston Airport over the weekend.

But customers say RA Monster Events’ two-day spectacle left much to be desired on Saturday, as its huge four-wheeler struggled to power over a line of cars after being cheered on by excited fans.

Organisers had advertised several live shows, fictional character meet-and-greets for children, a family fairground village and food court.

Yet parents left the event feeling disappointed, with reviews on the ticket purchase site Skiddle branding the festival an overpriced, disorganised rip-off.

Kerry Broadbent went on Saturday with her partner Peter and children Jack, 10, and Ivy, five, with tickets for the four costing £64.

The 42-year-old told KentOnline: “We kind of knew as we arrived - we realised this wasn't what we were expecting.

“As you drove into the airport, you could see what they'd billed as a funfair, but I think it was maybe two or three rides and then a couple of inflatables.

“There were food trucks, and there were two monster trucks that you could ride on.

“One of my neighbours who went said they queued for an hour and it was £10 per person to have a ride, and they did two figure eights.”

The Manston resident could not see any signage advertising when shows in the main arena were set to start, but luckily, she was in the right place at the right time for the monster truck display.

“We were standing by the fences, and there was an announcement that said the show would start at two o'clock,” she recalled.

“All the parents were counting down five more minutes, and people were getting their cameras out to film it.

“There was quite a crowd then waiting for this to start.

“It drove round a little bit, and then we realised there was only one.

“Some cars were put in the middle, and it attempted to drive over them a few times.

“A recovery vehicle came out and sort of towed it back over to the side, and I thought it was part of the show, they're going to get the crowd going and then they'll do some stunts.”

But unfortunately, the monster truck did not attempt the trick again, and an announcement from the PA system told spectators the gearbox had gone, and the show was over.

Ms Broadbent added: “Then everybody sort of mass-exited.

“People had come to see that - it was the main event, that's what it was billed as.

“We decided to leave because we’d already eaten.

“It definitely wasn't as it was described.

“If the monster truck just broke down, that isn't necessarily foreseeable, but you should have something alternative to offer the crowd, and if you don’t, then there shouldn't be any question of refunding people's money.”

Comments and reviews online suggest that a full monster truck display did take place on Sunday.

Ms Broadbent also says the only costumed character she saw walking around was a gorilla as they were leaving an hour after their arrival, despite adverts promising laser men, bunnies, Transformers, Stitch and Iron Man.

The mum-of-two added: “I'm sure there are children who probably still enjoyed it, but I think for the parents it was an expensive event that just was a let down.

“My five-year-old wanted to see a monster truck, and she saw one.

“But it was just a massive disappointment.”

Ms Broadbent is not the only person who left feeling short-changed by the event.

On the ticket-selling website Skiddle - where many were purchased - lots of visitors have left scathing reviews.

Caroline Fisher wrote: “An absolute rip off.

“First, you pay £18 per person.

“Then to do anything - even a crappy football thing where you get three balls to hit through some holes - was £5 each!

“There were only two monster trucks, which cost £10 to ride and a very good but lonely single stunt motorcycle bloke.

“You couldn't see properly as it was on a flat airfield, and so no chance of kids seeing what was going on.”

Kellyann Whybrow added: “Disgusting. As we arrived at midday, there were so many people leaving, which was a surprise, but not surprising once we got inside.

“No commentary was heard as no sound system.

“Rubbish and weeds were everywhere, including the arena. It was advertised as a monster truck event, yet there was only one.

“Poorly organised in every aspect. Even the kids were bored.”

Similarly, James Hannington wrote: “I want to apply for a refund. The event was awful.

“The monster truck gearbox broke, and they said on the microphone, ‘that's it, folks’.”

While mostly negative, a few good reviews were left on the website, too, with some calling it an “awesome show”.

RA Monster Events has been contacted for comment.

A spokesperson from Slingshot Monster Truck said: “The amount of shows we do and how long they run for are up to the decision of the event organisers, however, we are also limited with this due to the amount of fuel the monster truck uses, it can empty a full tank in two and a half minutes if at full throttle.

“Unfortunately due to the nature of the monster truck things can and do go wrong, like in any form of motorsport.

“The video provided shows the monster truck not going over the cars, this was down to the gearbox failing mid show, which was not helped by the ground conditions, of which we were asked by the event organisers to place the cars on a plastic tarpaulin on a concrete surface, this lead to the cars constantly moving away from the truck therefore resulting in extra strain on the gearbox and the monster truck losing momentum before the back wheels even made contact with the cars, which ordinarily on grass surfaces does not happen.

“The Slingshot Monster Truck team worked tirelessly into the night to fit the brand new spare gearbox which was carried with us, in case this situation arose, in order to be able to go on and complete a full show the following day on the Sunday, which we were able to do.”

Slingshot Monster Truck is an independent company hired by the organisers of the event.