Visitors seeking annual passes were allowed to submit applications and pay fees yesterday and were told the passes would be ready for collection after four to seven days.

Apart from ticketing problems, some of the park's interactive computer displays were out of order just one day after its opening.

Some applicants for annual and family passes were angry and went home after learning they would have to buy one-day tickets to gain entry, or wait until they received their passes.

'It is all very confusing and chaotic. We came to buy the pass to save money, and now they tell me to buy one-day tickets. A family pass costs $200 a year. Why should I spend $75 for a family of three for just one day? They even failed to tell me exactly when I can get the passes,' said Mrs Chan, who went to the park with her husband and son yesterday. Ken Cheung, his wife and daughter were also frustrated about the arrangement.

'They should have had a separate counter to process annual pass applications instead of just taking our forms and money and telling us to wait for a few days. We can just submit applications and get annual passes right away at Ocean Park. Why can't the wetland park do that?' he said.

Assistant director of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department Lay Chik-chuen defended the process, saying time was needed to check the applicants' personal information.

'We only collect forms and fees today for annual passes in order to facilitate daily ticket sales and avoid long queues,' he said, adding that all ticket counters were open yesterday.

Mr Lay said about five or six items at the park were broken.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong surveyed 548 people this month on their awareness of environmental protection. Nearly 60 per cent had never been to Mai Po and other conservation spots.