Prime Minister Boris Johnson enjoyed an ice cream at a Cornish holiday park during a visit to the county on Wednesday.

Mr Johnson met staff at Haven Perran Sands Holiday Park in Perranporth ahead of the site’s reopening on Monday, when coronavirus restrictions are eased.

He was shown surfboards ready for customers to use, telling staff “it’s very difficult surfing, unbelievably difficult”, before being shown how restaurants at the park have a QR code for Track and Trace.

The Prime Minister picked up a green ball outside the gift shop and threw it to a member of staff, who caught it before throwing it back to him.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson was given a toy tiger for his son Wilfred during his visit to Haven Perran Sands Holiday Park in Perranporth
Prime Minister Boris Johnson was given a toy tiger for his son Wilfred during his visit to Haven Perran Sands Holiday Park in Perranporth (Tom Nicholson/PA)

She then presented him with a soft toy of Rory the Tiger – one of Haven’s mascots – for his son Wilfred.

“He’ll love that,” Mr Johnson said.

“He likes to eat, he likes to bite. It’ll be delicious for him. Thank you so much, that is so kind of you.

“Is he the theme character? Do you have some chap who dresses up as Rory? That would be a job for me one day.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to Haven Perran Sands Holiday Park in Perranporth
Boris Johnson said he thought a ‘huge number of people’ will want to visit the English coast (Tom Nicholson/PA)

Mr Johnson then walked to an ice cream van, which began playing its jingle as he approached.

He said to staff inside: “I would like an ice cream, do you do one with a Flake?”

After being told they did not, Mr Johnson ordered a “Mr Whippy” in a cone with chocolate sauce and sprinkles on top.

He told reporters: “This is the historic moment where I actually have to reach into my wallet and discover if there’s anything in there.”

Mr Johnson insisted on paying for the ice cream before taking a bite of it and giving a thumbs up.

When asked if it was the best ice cream he had eaten, Mr Johnson replied: “Delicious, Belgian chocolate sauce and sprinkles.”

He met staff cleaning the caravans on site before walking out to admire the coast, telling onlookers: “I mean honestly, money couldn’t buy it – it’s just unbelievable, look at that.”

Mr Johnson added: “I think a huge number of people will be wanting to come and see the English coast.”

During his visit to the county, Mr Johnson also went to Cornwall airport and to Truro city centre.