FARMER-turned-ice cream maker David Otterburn has struck gold again after winning top honours in a leading awards scheme.

His speciality Marathon Madness ice cream - inspired by the popular peanut chocolate bar - won the open flavour class at the National Ice Cream Competition organised by the Ice Cream Alliance - the trade body for the UK's £1bn ice cream industry.

Mr Otterburn, whose family run Ryeburn of Helmsley, also had the judges smacking their lips with his chocolate, strawberry and vanilla flavours which picked up silver and two bronze medals.

A former dairy farmer, he switched to ice cream production 25 years ago and has since won a string of awards. He is now developing speciality ice creams for some of the region's leading restaurants.

"I really enjoy experimenting with ice cream and developing new and interesting flavours and it's a great thrill to win yet another prestigious award," he said.

"I tried the Marathon Madness out with customers this winter and it proved very popular so I thought I would back the tastebuds of local people and enter it in the competition."