It used to mean ice cream.

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But now, in the hands of Christian Townsley and John Gyngell, it means a frothy beer.

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For the two men have launched a spin-off from their successful pub enterprises – and they are taking alcohol on the road in an ice cream van called Mr Frothy.

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The restored 1973 Fiat 850 is stocked with European brews which are sold through the window.

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"It's an idea we have had in the back of our minds for a few years," said Christian, "to take beer out on the road to people.

"We hope to take Mr Frothy to some of the smaller independent music festivals and it is also available for hire. Couples having a wedding could invite us along to supply drinks and make it a memorable experience.

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"We specialise in European beers and Mr Frothy will be stocked with a good selection. And we shall also take a back-up vehicle with more supplies to top it up."

The two friends have experience of outdoor catering at Chapel Allerton Arts Festival and put up a big beer tent at a Leeds City Council event, Fete des Fleurs, in Millennium Square. The partners were browsing for a vehicle when they spotted the Fiat van was available.

Christian said: "We were looking for an ex-ice cream van and the Fiat leapt out at us. It is so quirky. So we did a deal with an ice cream man in Nottingham."

Hopefully, it will appear soon on BBC TV in a documentary about Eddie
Izzard's epic run around Britain.

"I spotted him running through Chapel Allerton," said Christian, who lives in Skipton. "And I found out where he was running next day and tried to find him.

"I drove between Wakefield and Sheffield and pulled into a petrol station near Barnsley and came across him.

"I gave him an American beer, a Brooklands Black Chocolate Stout, and he was fascinated by our van. We were filmed and I hope we appear in the final cut."

John and Christian became friends when they met at the former Town and Country Club in Leeds 15 years ago.

Their pub, the Cross Keys in Holbeck, was runner-up last year in The Observer best Sunday lunch category and their North Bar on Upper Briggate has won Campaign For Real Ale awards and was voted best place to drink in Britain by The Observer in 2005.

They also run the Further North bar on Harrogate Road, Chapel Allerton.