An anxious mother and daughter fear their ice cream business could close if plans to extend their shop’s opening hours are turned down.

Cleo and Chimene Proctor opened a parlour in Dymchurch high street earlier this year, but believe shutting at 5pm is costing them “massive amounts of trade”.

The pair feel their business, called ‘Sundaes’, is being “unfairly treated” as multiple others in the area do not have the same restrictions.

They have now submitted an application to Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) with the hope of extending their opening hours.

“We have to shut the door at 5pm and turn customers away when this is actually our busiest time,” Cleo, 57, said.

“This is massively limiting us on how successful we can be as a business.

“The restriction has been put in place because of neighbours and people living in the area, but the fairground and many other businesses are open much later than us and make twice the noise.

“We have missed out this summer, so we really hope by next summer we are allowed to be open for longer.

“I fear for the future of our shop if this application gets rejected.”

The pair, who live in Lydd, submitted the application to FHDC in May and are waiting on the authority to make a decision.

They say the support from residents in Dymchurch has been “incredible”, with many agreeing the shop should be allowed to stay open later.

Cleo added: “We have had so much support from residents in Dymchurch who all agree these restrictions are unfair.

“We went to Italy and were inspired by the ice cream parlours there, so when this opportunity came along we took it.

“We just hope we are given the chance to make this a success.”

A decision is expected to be made by FHDC within the next two months.