A vendor who has sold ice creams at the same park for almost 20 years was 'banned' from trading at a council festival.

Mike Bell, 54, has lodged an official complaint with Waltham Forest council after being turned away from the Chingford Big Weekender, held earlier this month.

The father-of-two from Romford, has been selling ice cream from his van inside Ridgeway Park, in Peel Close, since 1996 when he took up the pitch after falling in love with the "unique" miniature railway.

This year was the first time he was told he could not trade inside as the "council had organised its own caterers", despite having a licence entitling him to operate seven days a week from April until October.

At the very last minute, he was told he could trade outside by the gates.

He claims his previous "good working relationship" with the council has "broken down completely" since the season started and the plans were drawn up for new tennis courts and a pavilion-style cafe.

He said: "Four days before the festival, I sent the usual text to marketing to give them my registration number so I could be put on the list, only to be told they've brought their own people in this year and it didn't include me.

"I was disgusted and shocked.

"I pitched up on the Friday to sleep in the van overnight and this was when they made me a last-minute offer to park near the gates.

"I felt really down (during the festival) like I shouldn't be here, I should be inside.

"For the first time in my life I'm having sleepless nights as I don't know where I stand and don't feel confident about my future at Ridgeway Park - the silence from the council is deafening.

"I've had 19 happy years here, the kids see me as an institution and it is my intention to stay here until I retire."

Deputy leader cllr Clyde Loakes, said: "Park trading licenses are not covered by closed events like the Chingford Big Weekender – this has always been the case and was made clear to Mr Bell.

"As a gesture of goodwill, we arranged for Mr Bell to trade by the gates to the festival instead so he could benefit from the huge numbers of visitors.

"Aside from the Big Weekender event there’s been no change to Mr Bell’s trading and he continues to operate in Ridgeway Park.

"Should, in the future, the park’s trading license be put out to tender, Mr Bell will be invited to apply for it along with other local vendors."