PRODUCE proudly made in Dorset has been sent to space in a quest to find the perfect ice cream consistency.

Purbeck Ice Cream has embraced the role of intrepid scientist, and sent a tub of its ice cream to space - well, near space.

In partnership with Chris Hillcox, a high altitude ballooning hobbyist (www.nearspacephotography.com), Purbeck Ice Cream was looking to find out if ice cream would sufficiently freeze in space in order to reach “the perfect scoop”, in their never-ending quest to find the perfect ice cream consistency for maximum enjoyment.

The tub of Purbeck Ice Cream passed through the mid stratosphere and temperatures down to minus 50 Celsius, before the intrepid tub of Purbeck Ice Cream made its way swiftly back down to earth.

With two Go Pro’s, tracking electronics and a 500ml tub attached to the payload, the Purbeck Ice Cream tub was filmed on its entire journey to near space and back again, and taste tested on landing!

The launch was broadcast live on Periscope from the farm in Kingston, Dorset, where Purbeck Ice Cream Is made, and the live tracking of the payload as it made its way up into space found the Ice Cream reached dizzying heights of 35,701ft on its 2 hour 42 minute journey!

The ice cream was recovered by Chris in the Liphook area, and was successfully frozen and edible!

Purbeck Ice Cream sources their ingredients as close to our home county of Dorset as possible. Using 60 per cent fresh Purbeck milk, 22 per cent thick Dorset cream, British sugar and an abundance of only the best natural ingredients, with no artificial additives, added colours or nuts, it’s gluten-free and suitable for vegetarians.

Everything is made on the farm with fun, love and passion by a small and friendly team, who were secretly hoping to get their space wings.