Aldi is offering out free ice creams in response to Greenwich Council’s ruling that 33 roads in the borough will continue to ban roaming ice cream vans.

Aldi is handing out free ice-cream outside its Brocklebank Road store today (June 16).

If you can’t get your hands on one today, Aldi shoppers will have the chance to win a £5 voucher for free ice-cream instead.

All they need to do is email freealdiicecream@clarioncomms.co.uk to enter the competition along with their name and address.

The council explained that itinerant ice cream vans are able to trade “from hundreds of roads” in the borough without a license for 15 minutes at a time.

Its street trading policy currently rules that 33 locations in the borough has bans on itinerant, or place-to-place, ice cream trading from mobile ice cream vans.

This is to prevent “unnecessary engine idling and narrow pavements being blocked by queues” as well as maintaining views in beauty spots.

Starting at just 21p per ice-lolly, shoppers would be able to enjoy up to 23 ice-creams with their free Aldi voucher win.

Aldi’s selection includes popular favourites like the Gianni's Caramelised Biscuit Chocsticks (£2.49, 3 pack), Gianni's Strawberry & Vanilla Ice Blitz (£1.15, 6 pack), and Gianni's Mini Whirlz (£1.99, 8 pack).

Julie Ashfield, the Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK, expressed her commitment to ice-cream fans across the nation.

She said: "We'd like to reassure ice-cream fans, not just in Greenwich, but across the nation, that they can still enjoy a delicious summertime treat as we head into another weekend of heatwave weather.”

A Greenwich Council spokesperson said: “We have not banned ice cream vans. Itinerant ice cream vans, ones that move from place to place, are able to trade from hundreds of roads in the Royal Borough of Greenwich without a licence for 15 minutes at a time, and this is still the case.

“Today (June 14) the Council's Cabinet took the decision to make a timely review of its existing Street Trading Policy from 2015 (required by the London Local Authorities Act 1990).

“The public will have a chance to have their say on proposals during a 28-day period before any new policy is considered and adopted at Full Council.

“The existing policy designates 33 of the most sensitive locations in the borough where itinerant ice cream trading from mobile ice cream vans is not allowed.

“The draft policy adds two further locations where fixed location ice cream trading is allowed at Duke Humphrey Road (SE10) and Powis Street (SE18).

“This policy ensures ice cream can still be sold at locations across the borough whilst ensuring sensitive locations – such as our beautiful UNESCO world heritage site – which attracts thousands of visitors each year – is protected, as well as stopping unnecessary engine idling and narrow pavements being blocked by queues.”