GOVERNMENT business minister Kwasi Kwarteng was shown a Crewe firm's new "green" ice cream van on a factory tour.

Whitby Morrison has launched a "cleaner greener van", which allows the vehicle operator to run its ice-cream making machine on electricity when stationary instead of keeping the engine running.

The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy had been invited on a tour of the firm's base on the Crewe Gates Industrial Estate to see the an ice cream van built from start to finish.

He was joined on the visit by Crewe and Nantwich MP Kieran Mullan, President of South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce John Dunning and Crewe Town Board Chair Doug Kinsman.

Founded by Bryan Whitby in 1962 Whitby Morrison is recognised as the world's leading manufacturer of ice cream vehicles. The firm produces bespoke ice cream vans and associated vehicles for the global market.

Mr Kwarteng said: "It was great to visit such an iconic family-run business at the heart of Crewe's thriving business district. We should never forget that it is families like the Whitby family who are at the heart of our economy creating jobs and securing investment for their communities."

The MP said: "Crewe is the home of ice cream vans and it was great to showcase such a fantastic local business. They are a real ambassador for Crewe and the whole UK, exporting all over the world."