Dogs have been enjoying the Billy+Margot ice cream

by Helen Geraghty

A Kent food firm is making tails wags with a new product - ice cream for dogs.

The iced canine treat is being manufactured by Taywell Ice Creams at the firm's kitchens in Paddock Wood.

It goes on sale at branches of Tesco-owned garden centre chain Dobbies later this month and comes in two flavours; strawberry and apple, or apple, banana and carrot. A 160g tub will cost £2.99.

Nutritionist and dog lover Marie Sawle, from Hampshire, created the concept with Taywell after spotting a gap in the market. The ice cream is branded Billy+Margot, named after two of her own dogs.

Alastair Jessel, managing director of Taywell Ice Creams, said: "We're delighted to be working with Marie to make Billy+Margot iced treats for dogs.

"Although a typical first reaction to Billy+Margot might be to chuckle, in fact we see this as a very serious business opportunity for retailers of all kinds. We have very high hopes for it."

Alastair added: "Giving your much-loved pet a well-deserved treat is one of life's pleasures, and in the case of Billy+Margot you'll be giving them something wholesome and nutritious as well as delicious."

He said the product contained no milk, which can be harmful to dogs, and the sugars in the product come only from the fructose found naturally in the fruit and vegetable ingredients that flavour the ice cream.

Taywell Ice Creams makes around 100 other flavours of ice cream and sorbets at Paddock Wood - all for humans.