A NORTH YORKSHIRE village is taking on mighty American fast-food giant, McDonald's, over its record on litter.

The company, with branches from Moscow to Miami, opened a new burger bar at the service area on the A1 at Leeming Bar at the end of last year.

But the arrival of State-side cuisine has not been welcomed by all who live at the gateway to Wensleydale.

Some are claiming the restaurant has proved to be a new source of rubbish - including paper cups and cartons, plastic straws and even metal drinks cans.

The problem is not confined to the car park at the motel; litter stamped with the trademark Golden Arches is being pulled from hedges and road verges further afield.

Residents were worried rubbish would become an issue, and raised the matter when planners were deciding if the chain should be given permission for an outlet in Leeming.

Some people living nearby claim their predictions have been proved correct.

McDonald's spokesman, Narinder Singh, said the staff did all they could to limit the problem: "Every restaurant has a policy whereby we go out and collect any litter immediately outside.

"If there are any areas further afield, we could send someone out to remove our litter, but there are health and safety implications for our employees beside such busy roads.

"Litter is very much a social issue and education is probably the key. We involve ourselves with Keep Britain Tidy groups and local litter-picks. We supply bins inside and outside that area, and patrol our car park, and would be happy to sponsor litter bins in that area if the local council was to run such a scheme."

Hambleton District Council, has warned anyone caught dropping litter to expect a stiff penalty.

Spokesman for the environmental health department, Eric Kendall, said the authority will also try to negotiate with McDonald's over-extended litter patrols