A RYEDALE ice cream maker has struck gold again after winning top honours for his latest flavour creation.

David Otterburn’s speciality Marathon Madness ice cream – inspired by the popular peanut chocolate bar – won the open flavour class at the National Ice Cream Competition.

Judges were also delighted by David’s chocolate, strawberry and vanilla flavours which picked up silver and two bronze medals.

David, whose family run Ryeburn of Helmsley, is a former dairy farmer, who switched to ice cream production 25 years ago and is now developing speciality ice creams for some of the region’s leading restaurants.

“I really enjoy experimenting with ice cream and developing new and interesting flavours and it’s a great thrill to win yet another prestigious award,” he said.

“I tried the Marathon Madness out with customers this winter and it proved very popular so I thought I would back the tastebuds of local people and enter it in the competition.”

David’s ice creams, which are made behind his café at Church Farm, Helmsley, have won a string of awards and titles in recent years including the UK’s champion ice cream maker.

“Despite the time of year we are really busy with many of our brands selling out,” he added.

Zelica Carr, chief executive officer of the Ice Cream Alliance said: “Every year David works harder than ever to perfect his entries and this year’s success shows once again that his ice creams are exceptional.”