ENJOYING an ice cream while strolling around the park is something of an English tradition - and it's staying local in York.

Yorvale, the city's only dairy ice-cream maker, has been chosen as the supplier to the two Krumbs cafés in Tanner Row and West Bank Park in Acomb, and yesterday staff got involved in a tasting day.

The cafes are part of the United Response charity, which works with City of York Council to give people with learning disabilities vocational training and prepare them for future jobs.

"United Response does such a great job and we're delighted to be supporting the Krumbs cafés," said Acaster Malbis-based Yorvale's director, Lesley Buxton. "We're looking forward to welcoming the staff to the factory for a tour and training day in the future."

Krumbs catering manager Andy Lodge said: "Our students work in all areas of the café learning aspects of the catering industry, which goes towards an NVQ qualification in hospitality.

"This gives them the opportunity to go on to paid employment."

For more information about United Response's work, log on to www.unitedresponse.org.uk