FURIOUS campaigners were given the chance to question a McDonald's official at a public inquiry into the future of an historic Southampton pub.

The inquiry was called after the fast food giant launched a bid to turn the Bittern pub on Thornhill Park Road into a two-story restaurant.

Government-appointed inspector Lloyd Rodgers has heard evidence from a traffic expert, a Southampton City Council planning official and a number of angry residents in favour of the pub.

And Mike Williams, head of site acquisition for McDonald's, fielded a number of questions regarding the company's use of controversial zero-hour contracts, the nutritional content of its food, and why the Bittern site was chosen.

Mr Williams said: “It's an unusual location in Southampton because to the east we have got the Hedge End retail park site and there's nothing between there and the city centre.

"In a city this size we have typically got a restaurant in that location because there's a local population in the area."

Mr Williams admitted that during the inquiry there had not been support for the restaurant and accepted that the company hires all trainees on zero-hour contracts.

But he sought to highlight the charitable work McDonald's carries out, including Southampton General Hospital's Ronald McDonald House, which provides accommodation for families to stay close to their children in hospital.

James Pereira QC had earlier criticised the city council's reasons for refusing the initial McDonald's application, saying the council's concerns over road safety in the area were unfounded.

He said: “The data shows that for the last 20 years right turns at Thornhill Park Road have taken place safely.

“We can conclude that these numbers of movements have been taking place at the petrol filling station safely as far as pedestrians and cyclists are concerned.”

The inquiry was adjourned and will resume on April 9.