A 'COLD war' between warring ice cream vendors at a beauty spot has escalated after an ancient court heard an impassioned plea for one of them to be banned.

Two years ago when a new ice cream van started trading at the popular landmark it received a frosty reception from shops on the nearby high street who complained it stole their business.

Now, as the trader has applied for a new two-year lease, its high street rivals have called for a freeze on its licence.

Independent ice cream parlours and cafes in Lyndhurst, in the New Forest, say footfall and profit has melted away since the arrival of Warren's Ice Cream.

The company, run by ice cream entrepreneur Warren Dickens, set up shop just yards from Lyndhurst high street, at the car park of beauty spot Bolton's Bench.

Bolton's Bench is a popular spot for people visiting the New Forest National Park and is named after the Forest's 18th Century Master Keeper the Duke of Bolton.

Tim Laine, who runs Forest Glade Ice Cream parlour on the high street with son Simon, wants Warren's Ice Cream to be given the cold shoulder.

Mr Laine, 73, put forward his case at the Verderers Court - an ancient group responsible for the preservation of the New Forest.

At the court, he urged for support in calling for Forestry England not to renew Mr Warren's licence.

Mr Laine said: "Two years ago the Verderers granted a licence for an ice cream van to trade from the car park at Bolton's Bench.

"I am requesting that this is not granted again for the following reasons.

"The sale of 'refreshments' at Bolton's Bench location adversely affects the footfall into the village, and consequently the turnover of establishments in our village is significantly reduced.

"This van pays no rates to the local council, doesn't belong to the local Chamber of Commerce and makes no contribution to the local events and the 'community' of Lyndhurst.

"The van also has its engine running continuously, which is not good for air quality, and Lyndhurst already has a very poor record for air pollution."

His statement was supported by New Forest District Councillor Hilary Brand.

Cllr Brand told the Verderers Court that 'four businesses have closed in Lyndhurst in the past few months'.

Cllr Brand added that 'anything that takes people away from the village damages the high street businesses which run various village events for the benefit of residents'.

Speaking today, Mr Laine said an ice cream truck - or any food van - will 'stop people from going into the village'.

Mr Laine said it's hard enough to get customers in the door.

He said: "We have a strange business model, we open the doors at Easter and stay open through to Halloween, when it gets too cold and wet.

"We have to make enough through the summer months, it's always hard work."

Previously, Sweet Chillies cafe owner David Pearson said it is 'absolutely ridiculous' that a van is allowed to operate there.

Mr Dickens, 45, runs 12 ice cream vans in the New Forest and surrounding area.

Today, he said he is within his rights to operate at Bolton's Bench, having had his licence approved by Forestry England.

He said: "I only deal with Forestry Commission, not the Verderers.

"We pay for the licence."

Asked what he makes of concerns that his business is hindering footfall on the high street, he said: "I don't really know what to make of that, to be honest.

"We're away from the high street, the way I see it."

The licence is currently up for renewal, with Forestry England set to decide which business takes on the new tender in the coming weeks.

A Forestry England spokeswoman said: "A small number of ice cream and refreshment vans have been operating in Forestry England car parks in the New Forest for many years.

"The vans operate under contract to Forestry England.

"The funds raised by Forestry England from this goes directly back into caring for the Forest and looking after facilities including car parks that serve the Forest and the local area.”