An ice cream man has become embroiled in a council row after his family business was booted out of a local park.
Frank Cannata, 67, inherited the business from his father in 1990 but only began selling the frozen treat in Wisbech Park 15 years ago.
After Cannata and his wife, Jo, were abruptly informed by Fenland District Council that they were not allowed to operate in the park anymore and would be replaced by new cafe owners, the couple started giving out free ice cream to locals every Saturday.
Working alongside several members of family at Frank's Ices, Cannata told GB News that he was driven to keep on selling the dessert to his "loyal customers" from a road opposite the Cambridgeshire park.
The ice cream van owner has insisted that he wants to stay for his loyal customers
Frank Cannata
Just last weekend alone, Frank's Ices handed out more than a thousand ice creams.
Speaking to the People's Channel, the business owner said: "The community has been supporting me for 15 years. I've seen the kids around here grow up.
"Some kids get married, have children, so I don't want to go. They don't want me to go. You want to stay put."
He said that some children come up several times to take advantage of the free treats - saying that as long as they "don't make yourself sick" and "don't go chucking them around", he didn't mind.
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At the moment, the business owner is handing out the sweet treats free of charge - although he has set up a donation box for Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Asked whether he was hopeful that his business could return to the park to operate as usual, he admitted that he remained "sceptical" on the future.
He explained: "From my point of view, where I'm parked is legal. I haven't got a license, no, but they've got to find a good excuse for me not to be there.
"And if that was the case, then I'll take the next step, whether it goes for a peddlers license or whatever - as long as I'm not selling, it doesn't matter."
At the moment, the business owner is handing out the sweet treats free of charge
Frank Cannata
Cannata said that whatever happens, "life goes on", adding: "Basically, that's life, really, at the end of the day." he said.
However, he revealed a glimmer of hope for the future, telling locals: "Watch this space."
Cannata's father had been running the business since 1957 until he hung up his hat some 30 years later.
Fenland District Council has said that they are unable to comment due to being in a pre-election period - during which time there are restrictions on local authority communications.
GB News has approached Wisbech Town Council for comment.
