WHEN Britain's best ice cream man flaked out, his absence was quickly noted.

The rumour soon caught hold that Alf Douglass was serving up 99s to the angels.

Friends even began a collection, raising loads of lolly for his funeral flowers.

But then the Evening Press got the scoop: Alf had not been licked by illness, but was recovering well from stomach surgery.

Now he knows how many friends he has.

It's a story to melt the frostiest of hearts.

Updated: 09:41 Friday, March 04, 2005