A TUB of ice cream that was due to boldly go where none had gone before will be sent towards space once again after its first mission hit a snag.

Staff at Purbeck Ice Cream attempted to send the product into near space to find out if ice cream would sufficiently freeze in order to reach ‘the perfect scoop’.

The company partnered up with Chris Hillcox, a high altitude ballooning hobbyist, for the experiment yesterday morning.

Broadcasting the launch live via Periscope and Facebook Live from the farm in Kingston, where Purbeck Ice Cream is made, they planned to track the payload as it made its way up towards space.

However, a “freak gust of wind” caused the helium balloon to hit the edge of a corrugated roof and burst.

Posting on its Facebook page, the company wrote: “That moment when all your hopes and dreams burst like a delicate helium balloon on the edge of a corrugated roof. Watch this space, folks, for a second attempt in the near future.”

Speaking to the Daily Echo after the failed mission, events manager Simon Fox added: “We had about 15-20 minutes where the balloon was inflated, but then a freak gust of wind came along.

“We don’t know when we’re going to do the mission again, but we will do it as we’re all suitably invested in it.”

The company had been waiting around four months to do the experiment so they could get the right forecast for the launch.

When the mission is next attempted, the tub of ice cream will pass through the mid-stratosphere and temperatures as low as -50C, before making its way back down to earth.

With two GoPros, tracking electronics and a 500ml tub attached to the payload, the ice cream will be filmed on its entire journey to near space and back again – and taste tested on landing.

It is all part of the company’s ‘never-ending quest to find the perfect ice cream consistency for maximum enjoyment’.

Used to being bold and innovative, Purbeck Ice Cream has always created strange, but tasty, new flavours such as Dorset Blue Vinny ice cream, Dorset Marmalade ice cream, and the new Dorset Truffle ice cream. It is available from farm shops, delis, scooping parlours, and restaurants across the county.