A LITTER problem attributed to McDonald's in and around Leeming Bar cannot be tackled by the company alone but involves the whole community, villagers have been told.

Mr Jason Foster, a local McDonald's manager, on Wednesday outlined to Aiskew parish council what steps his company could take to deal with rubbish reported by local people in hedges, lanes, fields and on verges since the Leeming Bar restaurant opened beside the northbound A1 in December.

He stressed, however, that it was just as important for the public to be educated into more responsible and acceptable ways of disposing of empty coffee cups, paper bags, cans and burger cartons.

Local people raised a petition of about 200 names, protesting at the amount of brightly-coloured and noticeable McDonald's litter, particularly in Leases Road, Leeming Bar, thrown from cars by customers after leaving the drive-through section of the restaurant.

Villagers said there was an ignorant minority passing through who thought Leeming Bar was no more than a rubbish bin. Villagers applauded the efforts already being made by McDonald's to tackle the problem but they remained concerned.

Mr Foster told villagers: "Be under no illusions, I am very concerned about this. It is costing us a lot of money to get our heads round this and it will cost a lot in the future, but I don't want it frittered away on things that lead nowhere.

"We are not here to cause a problem. We are here to bring jobs to the area and cash into the economy."

Mr Foster said education was a key element and in the long term he wanted to become involved in encouraging local schools to produce anti-litter posters.

More immediately, however, the company had invested £300 in a litter cart with which the area between Leases Road and the restaurant, the site itself and surrounding verges were cleared on morning and evening patrols.

Mr Foster said he would try to arrange for extra anti-litter signs, although these might need planning permission. Customers were already given bags in which to dispose of litter but additional advisory leaflets could be considered. McDonald's also fully supported the Keep Britain Tidy campaign and was willing to sponsor additional litter bins in the area.

Coun Bob Pocklington said litter was a national problem, but rubbish locally was generally being left by mobile teenagers and people in their early 20s with no commitment to the area. He added; "Appealing to their consciences won't do any good."

Coun Pocklington, who has found wind-blown McDonald's litter in parts of Aiskew, said: "McDonald's do good things in towns, where people are on foot locally, but here the stuff is being taken away."

Mr David Eyles thought the only real answer lay in catching and prosecuting offenders who should then face stiff fines.

l More parish council reports: page 12