ANGRY residents and community representatives had their say in the bid to save a historic Southampton pub.

Fast food giants McDonald's have launched a bid to turn the Bittern pub into a two-story restaurant.

But drinkers and residents have been reacting furiously after ralling today at a public inquiry into the future of the community boozer.

So many members of the public turned up at Southampton Civic Centre that the Government-appointed inspector Lloyd Rodgers was forced to ask for more chairs to be brought into the packed out room.

Speaking at the inquriy, Exford Avenue resident John Conroy said: "I have been drinking at the pub for seven or eight years and it's a very warming and lovely atmosphere for a pub.

"We had a New Year's Eve there recently and it was one of the best nights I have had in many years.

"I'm dismayed that we are talking about a McDonald's because we have the chief medical officer warning about an obesity crisis.

"If there's another fast food restaurant the fat will start running down the hill."

The inquiry was called after the city council turned down the initial application, prompting an appeal from McDonald's.

The pub is owned by Punch Taverns and James Pereira QC, representing McDonald's, suggested that it was not viable and does not have a future.

But the city council highlighted a number of concerns regarding the development, which would involve demolishing the pub.

Chiefly these are the loss of a community asset and increased traffic problems, with highways manager Vanessa White warning the traffic generated by a McDonald's restaurant would pose a "significant" risk to pedestrians.

Bitterne city councillor Mary Lloyd said: "The people are just great and it has a wonderful garden at the back.

"I would point out that the management team has done a great job and makes a great number of sales."

The inquiry will continue tomorrow when representatives for McDonald's will outline their case against the city council.