An ice cream man at the centre of a planning battle over a seaside pitch says he is now looking forward to the summer season.

Frankie Fernando has been granted permission to sell frozen treats from his vintage van on the Stade in Folkestone from the end of March - despite vocal complaints from people living nearby.

Now he hopes he can cool their opposition to his quayside venture by offering locals 25% discount cards for savings on cones and lollies.

The 58-year-old entrepreneur says he is pleased the Folkestone and Hythe District Council planning committee has now approved his plans after previously throwing out his application a month earlier.

"For me it was more about principle than anything else," he said.

"If they had a real reason [to reject the plans] then fair enough, but there wasn't.

"I don't like injustices.

"Once it's all calmed down I want to send out discount cards to local residents. I hope they embrace me."

Just as when it met in February, the planning committee again heard from opponents of the application who fear increased congestion on the Stade if more businesses are allowed to set up there.

One resident told councillors the ice cream van is "not needed, nor is it wanted" because of the impact on neighbours.

Cllr Jackie Meade (Lab) also spoke against the application at the meeting last night (Tues, March 21), saying that she believes the location of the van will be "blocking a public highway".

One of two speakers who addressed the meeting in support of Mr Fernando's plans was former England cricketer Ed Giddins, who is a close friend of the applicant and works with him on charity events.

"One thing I have noticed about all harbours is the more busy they are, the better they are..."

He said: "As a former England cricketer, I've seen a lot of harbours around the world.

"Sydney is probably the best, but Folkestone is right up there.

"I used to live in Eastbourne harbour, and one thing I have noticed about all harbours is the more busy they are, the better they are."

The committee voted to approve the application, which will see the van sited on the Stade from March 31 to September 30, by seven votes to two, with one abstention.