A McDONALD'S restaurant which opened at Leeming Bar five weeks ago has already turned parts of the area into a litter-strewn eyesore, according to local people.

The potential for litter was highlighted as one area of concern when plans for the £1m development beside the northbound A1 were being debated in 1999. The company claimed to have a policy for removing rubbish and working with environmental groups.

Since the development was opened on December 7, however, accumulations of empty containers for coffee and soft drinks, as well as straws, paper bags, cans and burger cartons, have been building up on and around the northbound A1 slip road. Some litter has found its way on to the main dual carriageways.

Complaints have also been made about litter being found as far away as Leases Road, Leeming Bar, and on roadside verges and in fields on the main A684 leading into Aiskew.

Litter has been thrown from cars by motorists leaving the drive-through restaurant and dropped by local people visiting it on foot.

Coun Susan Latter, who represents Leeming Bar on Hambleton council, said she had put to the environmental health department an offer by McDonald's to pay for a litter bin in Leases Road.

She thought, however, that there might need to be a stronger litter picking campaign, plus a meeting involving Hambleton, local councillors and McDonald's.

Coun Terry Noyes, chairman of Aiskew Parish Council, said: "This is one of those things that is going to happen whatever. If I get something in writing or by telephone I will probably bring it up under any other business at our next meeting."

He said the parish council had a few litter bins but they had become targets for vandals.

Mr Narinder Singh, a spokesman for McDonald's, said: "Every restaurant has a policy whereby we go out and collect any litter immediately outside.

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

"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 the restaurant and patrol our car park.

"We would be happy to sponsor litter bins in that area if the local council were to run such a scheme."

Mr Eric Kendall, head of environmental health at Hambleton, said that under the Environmental Protection Act, anyone caught dropping litter beyond the immediate area of McDonald's would receive a spot fine.

The council was planning a publicity campaign to deter litter louts, but would also discuss with McDonald's the possibility of the firm extending its litter patrols