A NUTRITIONIST hopes to take the ice cream market by storm with a dairy-free homemade creation.

Steve Bessant’s said his new frozen dessert is the country’s only coconut milk-based dessert. It is already selling in nine London stores and three shops in Leigh.

Mr Bessant, 36, of Grange Road, Leigh, who is also a physiotherapist and lifestyle coach, decided to make his own ice cream after dealing with clients intolerant to certain foods.

Just 18 months after starting out in his kitchen with a borrowed ice cream maker, Mr Bessant said the dessert has attracted interest from health food chain Holland & Barrett.

Mr Bessant said: “A lot of people are sensitive to dairy and eating dairy can inflame other complaints people have and cause issues for people with digestive problems.

“I have always been a big fan of coconut and a huge food lover, so I thought I would try to exploit a gap in the market.”

Mr Bessant has gone into business with friend Ian Drury.

He said he was amazed there were no ice creams on the market which use coconut milk as the base ingredient, as it is cholesterol free, a source of fibre. The coconut also cannot be tasted in the vanilla, chocolate, lemon and strawberry flavours on sale.

Mr Bessant’s ice cream is now being stocked at Went to Market deli in Elm Road, health food store Greens in Rectory Grove and a new delicatessen opening in Broadway.

For more information about the ice cream, go to www.

bessantanddrury.com