An ice cream man is warning schoolchildren to “head for the chimes” if they feel they may be in any danger.

Mark Ellinor, who runs Ellinor’s Ice Cream, is setting up a “safe zone” from his van for pupils in the Rainham area after what he described as “recent events”.

Mark, who began the family-run business 20 years ago, is taking the measures in the wake of stranger danger reports and concerns about a man taking photos near a primary school.

He said: “We have built up a reputation as a household name over the years. And people trust us.

“We take pride in being part of the community.”

Mark, 60, who started the company with his wife Diane, has put out a plea to parents to urge their children to approach his van or listen out for his Yankee Doodle Dandy theme tune if they feel uncomfortable.

The dad-of-two said: “We will stop our serving, as you and your child become our priority.

“We will contact the school, the parent, guardians and or the police while you or your child have sanctuary within our vehicles.

“No child has to be worried after school should things not go as planned.

“This job is not just all about selling ice creams.”

His safe haven gesture is not just aimed at helping younger customers.

He said: “In the past, we have secondary school children approach us because they have been bullied.

“As soon as they leave the school site they can be vulnerable and some schools might say they are not responsible for them once they leave the site.”

Several customers commented that they thought it was a great idea.

One said: “I’m a teacher. Once students step outside the school they can become vulnerable, it’s a great initiative to know that they can find a safe space.”

Another added: “I don't have children but think it's great the local children have a regular familiar face they can go to. Well done,”

One woman asked if Ellinor’s drivers are all DBS checked and Mark reassured her that they are.

Kelly Brown, deputy head at Fairview Community Primary School, in Wigmore, said while she welcomed his gesture, their advice would be to return to the school.

The school in Drewery Drive, Wigmore recently sent out a message to parents, headed “stranger danger”.

It read: “We have been informed this morning, that one of our children has been approached by a man in a van on the way to school.

“The child was walking slightly ahead of their parent, and the encounter could be completely innocent but we wanted to make you aware.

“We will talk about stranger danger with children in school, but this is something we hope you will reinforce at home.”

Miss Brown told KentOnline: “The ice cream van is parked right outside the school and it’s lovely of him to offer.

“We would say turn back through the gate where a teacher is always here until about 6.30pm. And our staff are DBS checked.”

Other primary schools in the area have been approached for comment.