THE owner of a popular ice cream stall in the New Forest is hanging up her scoop after nearly 40 years in business.

Vanessa Batchelor set up the ice cream stall in Burley 37 years ago and plans to retire on October 31.

Her parents owned the shop next door, The Magpie’s Nest, and realised it would be a great place to sell ice creams and it’s been a thriving business ever since.

Vanessa said: “My parents owned The Magpies Nest Antiques, gifts and jewellery shop which is in the centre of Burley and Burley Ice Creams started off underneath a straw umbrella 35 years ago on their forecourt.

Bournemouth Echo: Vanessa Batchelor. (Credit: Vanessa Batchelor)

"It was very basic to start off with flakes, hundreds and thousands and three different sauces.

"Over the years I have created a variety of specials, with a tantalising array of toppings and sauces and the business has grown from strength to strength, with 1000s of lovely loyal customers coming from all over the country.

“This includes a number of celebrities including Anthea Turner, Kevin Keegan and family, Margie Cooper, James Braxton, Mark Stacey, Martin from Homes under the Hammer and Howard Donald from Take That.

"I’ve also had a few unusual visitors in my queue, horses, pigs, cows and a swarm of bees.

“Over the years I’ve made some lovely friends. I really love my job which means I’m making people happy all day long as the ice creams are all really delicious and people take the time to come and tell me that every single day.

Bournemouth Echo: A typically long queue for the popular Burley Ice Creams. (Credit: Burley Ice Creams)

"I have a lot of support from the locals too, and many customers have been coming here as long as I have.

“It has been a truly amazing little business with huge queues particularly during the last two years so I would like to thank everyone for their amazing support.

"When my parents retired I took over the Magpies Nest as well but now there is a lovely new owner who is a local in the village and who will shortly be taking over the ice creams as well.

"It is not his intention to change anything, so I would like to take this opportunity to wish him lots of luck in the future and long may Burley Ice Creams remain simply the best”, Vanessa added.