AN ABBEY Wood ice cream man has backed new legislation allowing ice cream vans to play their unique chimes for longer.

The updated version of The Code of Practice on Noise from Ice Cream Vans, which was published earlier this month, allows ice cream vans to play their tunes for 12 seconds at a time rather than four.

It also says ice cream vans can chime every two minutes whilst driving instead of every three, as part of the first changes since 1982.

Wicked Whippy ice cream vendor Chetin Ramadan, of Glendown Road in Abbey Wood has four vans that travel throughout Bexley.

He told News Shopper: "The longer chimes will benefit rather than hinder.

"The more time they run the better for business and exposure."

The 53-year-old added: "We are happy about the new changes which allow us to ring the chimes for longer.

"After the great weather we hope it will generate more business for us.

"When things go quiet people think why are they not here? Have they not heard me?"

The new legislation says vendors can also chime once when parked in a bid to attract ice cream loving customers but they cannot chime within 165 feet of schools, hospitals or places of worship.

Famous ice cream chimes, such as Greensleeves and Teddy Bears Picnic, can also not be played beyond 8pm.

Dartford ice-cream vendor, Kevin Day, who runs Kev’s Ices, said: "It will benefit everybody in the industry.

"These changes have given the ice cream van vendors a lifeline in a dying market with sales of 99’s reaching a record low."

The 46-year-old added: "It’s definitely going to alert more customers, which is great news for the industry."

The Noise Abatement Society, who raise awareness for noise pollution, was against the changes, saying: "The current code ‘establishes a balance between noise makers and noise sufferers.’"

A consultation into the changes only received 57 responses from members of the public, the Ice Cream Alliance and six other industry organisations.

Changes to the legislation will be implemented after the summer.

What do you think? Are ice cream van chimes a merry sound of the summer or just a bit of a racket? Have your say below.