A DRIVE-THROUGH "winter wonderland" event in Stirling is a scam, officers and officials are warning this week.

Forth Valley Police Division confirmed on Monday, October 26, that the event labelled as Winter Wonderland Stirling is a scam after it has been advertised on social media, including Facebook.

Advertisements and the events website have since been taken down and it is understood some families have lost out on money amid the coronavirus crisis as a result.

Those behind the scam claimed people would get to enjoy everything from an enchanted forest, driving down Candy Cane Lane past gingerbread houses, "with a few surprise characters to meet along your way".

A social media statement from Forth Valley Police Division said: "Officers are aware of a scam involving a Facebook advertisement for a 'DriveThru' type event labelled as Winter Wonderland Stirling.

"We understand that details were copied from a legitimate website and appeared genuine.

"We urge the public to stay extra vigilant for online/social media type scams, especially over the festive period where a large portion of transactions will occur online.

"If you have been a victim of such a scam, contact police on 101."

The website for the event, hosted through Squarespace, has since been made "private" and is inaccessible without a contributor's log in details.

It is understood the social media page advertising the fake event has also been taken down.

A statement from Stirling and Clackmannanshire Trading Standards added: "The event claimed to be in Blairlogie, Stirling, but all photos and advertising materials had been copied from another company.

"No such event is taking place in this area."