ONE of the region’s MPs has diversified into the ice-cream business – but for one day only.

He created his own variety of ice cream during a visit to an award-winning dairy farm operation.

Rishi Sunak, the Tory MP for Richmond, created the “Sunak Surprise” during his tour of Brymor Ice Cream at High Jervaulx, near Masham.

After spending time with staff in the factory processing the milk from the farm’s Guernsey cows, he created his own variety using honeycomb and vanilla ice cream.

“If I say so myself, I think it tastes rather special so who knows it could be on sale this summer,” said the MP after sampling the finished product.

The basic ice cream recipe was formulated by Brian Moore, the founder of Brymor, more than 30 years ago. He and his wife Brenda established the ice cream business to use up surplus milk from the farm’s Guernseys and the recipe is still a closely guarded secret.

Mr Sunak visited the farm as part of his initiative to sustain the British dairy industry through a period of rock-bottom milk prices. He said Brymor was a great example of how the UK dairy industry could protect itself by adding value to liquid milk.

“We import far too much dairy produce,” he said. “We need to produce more of our own yoghurt, cheese, butter – and ice cream.”

Brymor owner Paul Hodgson said: “We were pleased Rishi found the time to visit us and learn about what we do at Brymor. He clearly likes ice cream and we look forward to welcoming him back here with his family.”