TWO North Yorkshire firms are working together to ensure the ice cream flows this summer.

Laser engineering specialist Malton Laser has manufactured components for 5,000 ice cream dispensing machines for Richmond Ice Cream, of Leeming Bar.

Malton Laser cut the central chassis for the Nestle Ice Creamery dispensers, which are sold by Richmond Ice Cream to retailers across the country. The system offers retailers a cheaper alternative to the traditional soft ice cream machines, which can cost thousands of pounds.

Last year, the company bought the Ice Creamery business from the Dairygold Cooperative Society.

Richmond Ice Cream manufactures all Nestle ice cream products in the UK and the new system has been re-branded to incorporate the Nestle name.

Andy Downes, Richmond's national business manager for the new system, said: "We took a long hard look at the rapidly growing soft ice cream sector, we then took all the strengths of the previous ice creamery system, added to them and improved them."

Malton Laser managing director Charles Corner said: "We are delighted to have been involved in such a major project with another North Yorkshire firm. We have worked with the team at Richmond Ice Cream in the past and look forward to continuing the relationship in the future."

The dispenser has already exceeded sales forecasts and is now used by retailers across the country, from small outlets to large leisure operations such as Haven Holiday Parks and UCI Cinemas.

Malton Laser also produced main components for a dozen Nestle Ice Creamery handcarts, which were installed in London's Royal Parks.

Work on the next batch of machines is due to begin later this year, with completion scheduled for February.