AN ice cream van driver has reacted angrily to suggestions that he is selling cigarettes.

As reported in Saturday's Northern Echo, Darlington Borough Council is investigating reports that ice cream sellers in the town are also selling cigarettes.

Although it is not against licensing laws for vendors to sell cigarettes, those in Darlington must comply with rules restricting them to selling ice cream and confectionery.

Council leader John Williams told a meeting last week that a van in Milton Road advertised cigarettes and council officers said they would investigate.

But the owner of the van, Ian Pritchard, of Milton Road, says he no longer sells cigarettes.

He said: "My van cost £30,000 and it has 'cigarettes' painted on the side. I used to sell them, but don't any more because there is no money in it. But I won't repaint my van for anyone - it would cost too much.

"I can't see the harm in selling cigarettes, because you can tell if someone is 16 or not.

"I think the council are just concerned that duty-free cigarettes are being sold, but I don't even smoke them, never mind sell them."

Mr Pritchard said he was unaware of the rule preventing cigarettes being sold from ice cream vans in Darlington, but said he had still not sold them for a number of months.