David and Victoria Beckham had people rubbing their eyes in disbelief when they stopped to buy ice creams in Nailsworth.

These were no look-alikes, but the real deal - one of the most famous couples in the world, and their children, popping into K'n'G Convenience in Old Market.

Kate Cornell could not believe her eyes when she saw the celebrity couple.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid legend David Beckham was at the wheel of a grey Land Rover Defender 110, and pulled up while his wife Victoria bought ice creams and lollies for their children.

Make-up artist Kate, who runs Be Beautiful Mobile Beauty Therapy, was walking out of the Co-op nearby and could not believe her eyes – and neither could her daughter Erin and friends Maisie Godfrey and Uma Seex.

"The girls were very excited," said Kate, 36, who lives in Spring Hill, Nailsworth. "I saw her get out of the car along with three of their children and another child. They were all there bar Brooklyn.

Erin Cornell, Maisie Godfrey and Uma Seex with Victoria Beckham.

"She was asking the girl in the newsagents what ice creams they had. "

She told Erin, Maisie and Uma, all aged 11, who she had seen and they went over to grab a picture at 5.30pm.

"He was in a Land Rover Defender and he did not look very happy to be honest but I asked for a picture and he said 'of course'.

"I asked him what he was doing in Nailsworth and he said he was just visiting friends."

Then she went in search of Victoria, who she said also politely posed for a picture.

Victoria and David Beckham have four children - sons Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz, and Harper Seven.

The girls, who all attend Ribston High School for Girls in Gloucester, were ecstatic at seeing the Beckham family in Nailsworth, she said.

David Beckham has been spotted at Dudbridge, Stroud before but not Victoria.

The town is used to seeing visiting celebrities – Dame Judi Dench has called in at the farmers market and Sex in the City Star Kim Cattrall shopped at William's Kitchen in recent years.