BUSINESSMAN Ed Whitby embarked on a mission to deliver free ice cream to more than 2,000 children at Crewe schools.

Ed, operations manager at ice cream van manufacturers Whitby Morrison, visited seven local primaries to put smiles on pupil's faces with cool treats in the hot weather.

Youngsters who attend schools at Haslington, Hungerford, Mablins Lane, Beechwood, Shavington, Wistaston Church Lane and Underwood West were excited to hear the familiar chimes coming from a state-of-the-art new electric van before sampling delicious ice cream in celebration of the end to a difficult academic year.

Ed says he was very impressed with how bright and polite the children were and feels that is a very positive sign for the future.

"What I learned is that the future of this country looks to be positive," he said. "The manners, politeness and general good nature of all of the children is not something to be overlooked or taken for granted.

"It gives us something all to be proud of and it is worth celebrating. They are a credit to their schools, teachers and the town.

"It's always important to our company that we give something back to the local community, and particularly so after such a tough year for everybody.

"To be able to put smiles on the faces of around 2,000 children makes everything worthwhile. It reminds you that the simplest of things can make the biggest of differences."

Family-run Whitby Morrison was established in 1962 and is now one of Crewe's biggest employers, exporting bespoke ice cream vans and associated vehicles to more than 60 countries worldwide.

One of the stop-offs on Ed's tour was Beechwood Primary, where the children have studied the life of Whitby Morrison founder Bryan Whitby after identifying him as a "notable local person".

A bonus of the school visits was the excellent performance of the Whitby Morrison ePower vehicle, which has launched a new generation of green energy solutions.

Ed added: "It was a great test for the new electric van, and it came through with flying colours and proved it really is the way forward for offering emission-free ice cream in the most sensitive environments."