At the British Coastline there are no more beloved treats than fish, chips and ice cream. As we approach the warmer season, hear from owner of Coastline fish and chips and winner of the top ice cream award at the Ice Cream and Artisan Food Show.

Domenico Gregorio expects an upsurge in demand for his delicious ice cream after landing silverware at the industry’s prestigious annual awards ceremony.

Domenico was on hand to collect the Robert Equi Dairy Cup — awarded for his Dairy ice cream — on behalf of Northumberland business Ciccarelli at this year’s Ice Cream and Artisan Food Show.

It came as the great and the good from the country’s ice cream world came together in Harrogate, North Yorkshire to celebrate their 80th anniversary with their biggest-ever event.

Makers and sellers of the family favourite treat gathered at the Yorkshire Event Centre to showcase the best of the best with an award ceremony capping the three-day expo, organised by the Ice Cream Alliance, the trade body for the UK’s £1.4bn per year ice cream industry.

Domenico, age 52 from Newcastle, said: “This is extra special to me to win. I’m over the moon ive tried to win this trophy for more than 30years, you have to be the best of the best to win because there is nowhere to hide in this category.

“There are no flavours used, not even vanilla, so the product has to speak for itself. The queues I get at South Beach Blyth are usually long for the best and finest gelato, but after word gets round about this they will be absolutely huge.

“I’ve been in the trade all my life and this is the hardest trophy to win and has the most entries so I am absolutely delighted to have won it, it’s brilliant.”

The Ice Cream Alliance President Joe McNeil had special praise for Domenico.

He said: “Congratulations to Domenico and Ciccarelli for a thoroughly deserved award! This year’s expo was a big one for us as it’s our 80th anniversary and we couldn’t be more delighted. We’ve had so many more visitors this year at the conference centre.

“It shows the ice cream industry is thriving in the UK and is very much the best in the world. It’s our biggest award ceremony ever and shows that ice cream is very much at the heart of Britain’s heritage.

“For me the biggest reward is seeing so many happy children tucking into their favourite treat and we’re committed to seeing it continue.”