CHEERS! Dylan’s ice cream parlour in Wey Hill launched a gin and tonic sorbet last week to sharpen up the taste buds in the run up to Haslemere’s first gin festival, which takes place this weekend.

Afficianados can sample a new recipe created by Dylan’s ice cream supremo Ben Govier, from Liphook, based on Gorilla Spirits’ Silverback Gin – a double medal winner at the 2016 International Wine and Spirit Competition.

Dylan’s many fans will be pleased to hear Ben has now purchased an empty candle warehouse at Fernhurst Business Park, which will enable him to build on the success of his Wey Hill parlour and expand the business.

Four Marks-based artisan distillery Gorilla Spirits Co, founded by Claire and Andy Daniels and launched in 2015, donates £1 from each bottle sold to The Gorilla Organization, which works at the forefront of gorilla conservation in Africa with innovative and award-winning projects.

The success of the family company means it has also outgrown its start up premises and is moving to Upton Grey.

Claire told The Herald: “We have raised around £20,000 so far for The Gorilla Organization.

“As we researched gorilla conservation we were shocked to find only 880 mountain gorillas exist in the world today.

“Our relationship with this wonderful charity is growing all the time and we have set ourselves the target of becoming their single largest private sponsor.”

The Haslemere Gin Festival opens at the Hight Street museum for one night only on Saturday, June 23, (7pm until 11pm).

Alongside Gorilla Spirits, there will be six other local distilleries offering exciting new gins to sample, plus tasty treats by free range cooks and live music by Surrey artists Hollie Hunt, Alice Milburn and Nick Tann.

•Tickets available online at www.eventbrite.co.uk