A FAMOUS ice cream maker from Ayr has won a national award.

Mancini’s of Ayr has won the prestigious Silver Challenge Cup for its vanilla ice cream at the National Ice Cream Competition 2020 for the fourth time in five years.

For 105 years, four generations of the Mancini family have been making and selling the finest, award winning ice cream from the Royal Café in Ayr.

The owner of the family business, Philip Mancini, said: “I was very emotional winning this award.

“This cup is known as the Tony Manfredi cup – and I have been a friend of Tony’s for years before he sadly died last year.

“To be associated with the Manfredi family is very special for me.

“And it’s the fourth time in five years that we’ve won it!”

The National Ice Cream Competition is held every year by the Ice Cream Alliance who are the UK trade association for the ice cream industry.

Hundreds of products are submitted across thirteen categories, ranging from best vanilla to ‘alternative’ category products.

This can include those free from the top 14 allergens, dairy-free, low-fat, high protein and no sugar among others.

Zelica Carr, the association CEO, commented: “Congratulations to Philip Mancini and all of his team.

“There was very stiff competition.

“This flavour category saw some outstanding entries and judges were hard pressed to choose a winner.”

In 1925, the family move their business to 11 New Road, Ayr where today the company is still be run.

It started as many Italians did in those days with an ice cream parlour and fish and chip shop.

Michael worked in the business from an early age and took the reigns of the company in 1940 and held them until October 1991 when he finally retired.

Philip is in charge of the day to day running.