Ice cream van wars have broken out on the streets after a popular "Mr Whippy" had his chimes "stolen".

For six years Metin Ramadan has been selling his lollies and cones from his familiar yellow wagon emblazoned with Moe's Ices.

Children and grown-ups know he is around the corner when they hear his familiar theme song, The Entertainer, ringing out.

Now a rival has also started using his distinctive anthem and caused a right old ding-dong around the villages on the Hoo Peninsula.

Mums and dads are being lured out of their homes by eager little ones who think that "Met Met", as they call him, has hit the roads.

But instead, they discover a pink van and a stranger dishing out ices to the same strains of the tune made famous in the classic movie The Sting starring Hollywood A-listers Robert Redford and Paul Newman.

Dad-of-two Metin has reached out on social media to point out the "imposter" is not him but somebody who is cashing in on his "popularity and good reputation".

He said: "I chose the tune because it was niche and I remember loving the film when I saw it when I was about 12.

"It's different, not your usual jingly, jingly Match of the Day or Greensleeves.

"And no, I'm not going to give in and change it after all these years."

The 55-year-old gave up his job as a delivery driver and bought his brother's ice cream van because he wanted a change of career.

He said: "My family has been in the business for 30 years and I love what I do.

'I have such a close relationship with my customers and they come out when they hear it and instantly know it's me...'

"We really are passionate about working with the community and supporting as much as we can.

"During the pandemic, we delivered free ice creams to staff in schools and care homes around the area."

His wife Claire helps out and his two sons Oscar, eight, and Ethan, five, are his "chief tasters".

The Higham-based family are also supporting six year-old Mollie Lawson from Strood who has ataxia, a degenerative disease which affects mobility, speech and in some cases, the heart.

Claire said: "We have created a unique ice cream 'Mollie’s Miracle' and will donate 50p from each one sold to Action for Ataxia Telangiectasia."

What would Met Met say to his nemesis if he came face to face with him?

"I would say I'm flattered that he's using my tune – it's not a typical ice cream van tune, it's very distinctive

"I have such a close relationship with my customers and they come out when they hear it and instantly know it's me.

"When they heard it I got so many messages and calls asking if I was back – so I made the post to tell people it wasn't me."