However, they would have preferred if the fan had waited until the September holidays to get a scoop of the real deal.

Tim Marwood, owner of Port Campbell Ice Creamery, was disappointed to discover recently the large cone that adorns the shop had been stolen.

The shop has been closed since May and will reopen again in the September school holidays.

It's not the first time one of Mr Marwood's artworks has been stolen.

"They're just a nice little signpiece ot the shop," Mr Marwood said.

"A bit of love and work has gone into it, so it's pretty disappointing."

In 2017, the giant ice cream cone at Timboon Ice Creamery was stolen twice in a matter of months.

Luckily, it was returned - once in the back of a divvy van.

Mr Marwood has a healthy sense of humour about the prank, but would like the large cone returned.

"We've very grateful they're a fan of our ice cream," he said.

"But sometimes people take it a step too far. We'd just like it returned - no questions asked."

Mr Marwood said he would make another one if he needed to.

"I might put a GPS tracker in the next one," he joked.

IN OTHER NEWS

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:

Now just one tap with our new app: Digital subscribers now have the convenience of faster news, right at your fingertips with The Standard: