Ice cream vans are normally a common sight on our streets when warmer days like these arrive.

But with the country in lockdown because of the coronavirus, there are no customers to buy their cones, ice lollies and choc-ices.

Furthermore, they are being ordered to stay off the roads until the lockdown clears.

But, one Lancashire trader is calling on council bosses around the country to allow cold treat traders like him to go back on the road.

But what do you think? Should ice cream vans be back on the roads or should they keep their treats on ice for now?

Mohammed Mulla, who operates Mr Whippy, is angry that neighbouring Blackburn with Darwen Council will not allow him to sell his products to householders.

The 49-year-old father of five from Little Harwood says that if takeaways can operate during the coronavirus crisis, so should ice cream vans.

He said the sound of their vehicles chimes would cheer people up and customers would observe social distancing in queues for cones and lollies.

Mr Mulla said the mobile traders had difficulty accessing government grants because they had no permanent base and a high cash turnover.

He warned they all faced financial difficulty as they had to pay bills with no income while off the streets.

Town hall bosses are now looking into his request.

Mr Mulla has clashed with the council before, in July 2019 and in June 2012, because of his ‘ice cream wars’ rivalry with fellow ice cream vendors Mr Creamy and Mr Yummy.

He said: “I wish to raise concerns that the council refuses to allow us to sell ice creams in Blackburn and Darwen while fish and chip shops and other takeaway are permitted to trade.

"Superstores and shops operate social distancing rules and so would my van.

“To keep to the guidelines I would wear gloves and put the ice creams on a rack on the counter and retreat to the back of my van before the customer takes it.

“I have been a trader for 18 years and my customers will comply with requests to stay two metres apart which are on clear signs

“Hearing ice cream van chimes would cheer people up. Customers are sending text messages and making phone calls asking me to park my van on their drives so that they can buy ice creams and slushes during the hot weather.”

A Blackburn with Darwen Council spokeswoman told our sister title the Lancashire Telegraph: “The country is facing an unprecedented situation, and we have chosen to deal with the issue of street trading consents for ice cream vans in a collaborative and pragmatic way so far. We have received Mr Mulla’s complaint and have registered this under the corporate complaints scheme where it will be considered.”

Mr Mulla said: “The public are aware of the two-metre distance and my van also has signs asking customers to observe it.

“We have not been trading now for more than four weeks but takeaways, fish and chip shops and dessert bars operating for take-outs are open.

“We have asked the council to come clean and provide a clear letter of refusal so we can obtain legal advice.

“In some boroughs like Peterborough they treat ice cream vans as shops."