A CHARD man is enjoying a sweet celebration after he helped to break a world record last week - the longest ever convoy of ice cream vans.

Ron Sutherland travelled from his home in Chard up to Nantwich in Cheshire to take part in the colourful collection of traders.

Ron runs his own business, Mr Whirly Ice Creams Ltd, and is based in South Somerset.

He said: “It was great. There were 84 ice cream trucks that took part, and we broke the record. We are famous.

“It really was great. It was a once in a lifetime thing.”

Despite travelling nearly 200 miles to reach his record-breaking destination, Ron was a long way off the most miles covered.

He added: “They came from all over, from Ireland, from Belgium - it really was an international affair.

It is the first time something like this has ever been done.”

Ron, who is now 72, has been in the ice cream trade for more than 45 years.

He said he enjoys bringing a smile to people’s faces, but added that his job really is dependent on the weather.

As well as breaking the world record, the convoy of ice cream as gathered to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital.

The event was organised by ice cream van manufacturer Whitby Morrison.