The traditional Essex resort town of Frinton-on-Sea is up in arms over the provision of ice-cream for tourists.

The staunchly traditional town, of which over half the 5,000 inhabitants are of retirement age, is launching a protest to the council over a seafront trader's clever side-stepping of a bylaw that prohibits the sale of ice cream.

Deckchair attendant Gary Grange has taken to hiring out sandcastle flags for £1 each, and throwing in a cornet ice cream for free.

The council has received so many complaints that it has served a notice to Grange to cease trading. If the complaint is upheld, it will represent a major victory for residents, who lost a long running battle last year when the town's first pub was opened.