Richmond Ice Cream, which has a factory at Leeming Bar, is the star of a £1m contract with a leading cinema group.

The firm, which had to establish extra shifts to meet demand for its cooling output during the recent heatwave, has been awarded a three-year contract to supply UGC Cinemas with impulse and scooping ice cream products.

The contract applies to the 43 UGC cinemas throughout the UK and Ireland, including that opened three years ago at Middlesbrough.

Richmond, the UK's largest ice cream maker, which has won 17 awards over the past five years at the British Frozen Food Federation annual presentations, will be supplying virtually all of UGC's ice cream products, including 15 lines from its Nestle and Treats brands.

New point of sale material, including new and re-branded freezers, has been installed, designed in partnership with UGC to co-ordinate with the style and decor of cinemas.

Crispin Lilly, UGC's commercial manager, said: "We have been very impressed with Richmond's positive approach."

John Hattam, director of impulse sales at Richmond, described the contract as an important gain from a major competitor.

David Palmer, national business manager (leisure) at Richmond, said: "The contract represents a significant development within the Richmond Ice Cream leisure channel.

"Our trading relationship has got off to a fantastic start and I look forward to further developing our respective businesses throughout the contracted period."

Left: David Palmer, left, national business manager (leisure) at Richmond Ice Cream, celebrates the £1m deal with Crispin Lilly, commercial manager of UGC Cinemas.