Emma's ice cream dream comes true through new firm

But the dynamic entrepreneur decided to use the setback as an opportunity to start her own business and secure her dream job – selling ice-cream.

The 45-year-old, from Whiteley, started English Vintage Scoops in 2015 selling ice cream from a cart at events.

Emma said: ‘I ended up getting injured while out shopping. I had always had challenging jobs, being a runner for England was incredibly challenging and before that I was a flight attendant which was also quite challenging.

‘Owning my own business was just another challenge for me. I wanted to do something that I really loved and that I really enjoyed.’

She bought an old and battered 1960s Bedford trailer online that had been left for years in a garden in Yorkshire and – after Emma’s husband Simon towed it back to Hampshire – they set about lovingly restoring it with the help of Lucy Jayne Vintage Caravans in Bognor Regis.

The van was finally finished at the end of last summer and it is now available for hire for functions and weddings.

And Emma says she was delighted to be short-listed for Wedding Caterer of the Year in the recent Bridebook.co.uk Wedding Awards 2017, after being voted for by the public.

She said: ‘We were over the moon. The nomination was just off the back of a few bookings. It’s a vintage experience, it’s not just about the ice cream. We bring all the vintage props along too.’

Emma, who still works part-time in finance for a housing association, serves up Jude’s and Marshfield Farm Ice Cream, with her favourite being Jude’s salted caramel.

‘The trouble is you come home and it’s there and it’s delicious,’ she said.

Go to englishvintagescoops.co.uk for more.