A POPULAR Carlisle spot has teamed up with a Cumbrian firm to offer Italian gelato on its premises.

Watchtree Nature Reserve will showcase a new collaboration with local Cumbrian firm, Three Hills Gelato, based at The Torpenhow Cheese Company, which is now available at the 'Gelato Shack', outside Watchtree's Wheelers Cycle Hire centre.

Three Hills Gelato is made from the ingredients including milk from The Torpenhow Cheese Company's herd of Cumbrian Jersey-Friesian-Norwegian Red cows.

The new Gelato Shack displays flavours including blueberry lemonade, sour cherry and orange marmalade, as well as all the classics.

The counter is a new feature for Watchtree and will help to relieve visitor traffic during busy periods.

Watchtree general manager, Ryan Dobson said: "We are delighted to have found a local brand that embodies the values of Watchtree, and be able to offer a high quality dessert product to our visitors.

"The gelato is not only absolutely delicious, but the ethos of both The Torpenhow Cheese Company and Three Hills Gelato, who place great emphasis on sustainable farming methods that encourage a diverse range of wildlife, really fits that of Watchtree Nature Reserve."    

Three Hills Gelato director, Matthew Stockwell said: "We are really proud of our gelato range, and the variety of natural flavours we are able to create from our dairy in Torpenhow.

"The gelato is authentically Italian using the best local ingredients, and we think visitors to Watchtree will love it."

The Torpenhow Cheese company director, Mark Lee added: "Visitors to Watchtree are already interested in nature and wildlife, and will appreciate the work and dedication that goes in to sustaining a dairy herd using regenerative farming methods which benefits the land, as well as the cows themselves."   

Opening times for the Gelato Shack are 10.30am until 3.30pm, Saturdays and Sundays during term time and everyday during school holidays.