A well-known ice cream trader has told of his uncertainty after being ordered by a council to move his van.

With its red and white décor and parked outside the Hythe Imperial Hotel, Rio's has been a fixture of Hythe seafront since 1958.

But Shepway District Council (SDC) this month executed a notice to leave, forcing the family-owned ice cream van 100 metres away.

Van owner Romeo Rossi said: “This isn't what the majority of the public wanted but the council made us move anyway.

“Years ago we could go anywhere and sell ice-cream but things have changed and now there’s just one small spot where we’re allowed to go.

“I don’t really feel confident or secure, it feels like a matter of time until something else changes.”

Hundreds of residents took to Facebook’s Hythe Residents’ Group calling on SDC to reconsider the move.

"This isn't what the majority of the public wanted but the council made us move anyway" - owner Romeo Rossi

A spokesman for the authority said the fresh restrictions – forcing traders away from the hotel front – form part of a new trading review, undertaken in April.

“Rio's were made aware of this decision and given several weeks notice to move the van.

“They, along with nine other licence holders, have been asked to move just 100 metres up the road.

“We work hard to accommodate this business’s various requirements and have just issued them with a special licence to trade on The Leas for bandstand events – which has never been done before.

“This is one of five vans Rio’s has throughout the district and we don’t believe the business will suffer from such a short move to a new location.

“The van will still be very visible and accessible to everyone using the prom between Sandgate and Hythe.”