Is it even summer in Britain if you haven't had a Mr Whippy - or '99' as some call them?

There's something nostalgic about the iconic ice cream and chocolate flakes

One less nostalgic thing about them is the price however.

We took a trip along the seafront to see what we could get for our money.

With rising inflation and a spiralling cost of living biting into family budgets, has one of Britain's iconic 'small luxuries' become - when coupled with fuel prices and other expenses - too expensive for the average family?

We took a trip along the seafront on one of the hottest days of the year to find out.

At all of the establishments that had the sweet treat, NONE were selling it the classic combo for under £2.

The cost for the Mr Whippy and flake topped out at the eye-watering price of £3.30 at Italian restaurant Vesuvio's 'to Go' takeaway on Alum Chine beach.

Bournemouth Echo:

The second most expensive Mr Whippy we found was at Harry Ramsden's, opposite Bournemouth Pier. You can purchase a large-sized cone and crumbly flake at the art-deco restaurant for the price of £3.09, with a regular cone and flake set at £2.55.

But coming in a close third at only nine pence cheaper is - surprisingly - Boscombe Pier's Reefside Ices ice cream shop, who are advertising their Mr Whippy and flake - no size selection available on the menu - at £3.

Those looking for a slightly cheaper option might want to opt for Offshore Cafe's takeaway outside the Oceanarium for the ice cream combo at a more reasonable £2.50.

Bournemouth Echo: Options at Harry RamsdensOptions at Harry Ramsdens

Even better, for those that dare fancy a 'softie' without the flake they can purchase it there for £2; the cheapest out of all establishments visited along the promenade. 

That means there is a £1.30 cost difference between the lowest and highest prices.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council's controlled and owned kiosks - which can be found spread along the sandy coast between Sandbanks and Southbourne - land smack in the centre-ground of the rankings, setting a standard price at each outlet of £2.40 for a plain Mr Whippy or 30p extra for the flake.