A TOP seller of ice cream has scooped a national prize after more than 35 years of serving the town frozen treats.

Paul Field was named 'Mobiler of the Year' at the Ice Cream Alliance awards in Harrogate on Wednesday, February 15.

He started serving 99's in 1982 after leaving school and he is widely known for his Maurice's Ice Cream van and charity work.

He said: "It feels fantastic. It was the best day of my life. This is a victory for me and for Reading. Without the council's support I would not have been allowed to continue trading for this long, so I owe a lot to them.

"I can't think of a better way to spend your life than by putting a smile on the faces of customers by serving them with delicious ice cream.

"I have never had another job. It doesn't feel like I have been working for three and a half decades. I enjoy what I do and everybody is so friendly.

"My father started the business in 1950 when I was only seven, I left school in '81 and as soon as I got my driving licence I was driving an ice cream van."

He has served a number of famous faces over the years, including Theresa May, Princes William and Harry and Tony Blackburn.

Paul had fierce competition from 300 members of the Ice Cream Alliance, before he melted the judges hearts and claimed the overall prize.

The award also recognises Paul's charity work after he took part in a national ice cream giveaway last year, donating thousands of free cones to children across the country and raising £5,000 for Children in Need in the process.

"The fact that I have been doing this job for 35 years was probably a big part of the judges decision," Paul added.

"I had backing from Tony Blackburn and the other two people had only been ice cream men for one or two years.

"I am very lucky to still have my father with me. He is 82 years old, but he still comes with me in the van every single day."