RESIDENTS in a Hampshire village have vowed to fight plans by burger giant McDonald's to open a fast-food restaurant on their doorstep.

Problems of litter, loutish behaviour and traffic congestion are all being cited as reasons to turn down the application to build the fast-food drive-through restaurant at Locks Heath.

Chairman of the Locks Heath neighbourhood watch group William Bell fears the outlet would damage the local community.

He said: "We are totally against this sort of development. We are concerned about the increase it would cause in noise, traffic and yobbish behaviour.

"Young people flock to this type of thing and we just don't want gangs of children hanging about unnecessarily."

The site, earmarked by the American fast-food company, is a car park next to the Locks Heath Centre, Centre Way, prompting fears of a lack of car parking space for local residents.

Mr Bell, of Richards Close, Locks Heath, said: "It seems strange to use a car park for a project that will undoubtedly increase the amount of traffic, the knock-on effects for residents will be horrendous.

Locks Heath councillor Ruth Godrich said: "I have mixed feelings about the proposals as it would be somewhere affordable for the young people to go.

"However, there is the problem of the volume of noise and extra litter this would create for the community so it needs careful consideration."

Leader of the council Sean Woodward said: "It is the yobbish element that most people fear when plans like this are submitted. Obviously proper provision has to be put in place to deal with the inevitable problems of litter and traffic, but taking away car parking spaces by building on it will cause problems."

A regional spokeswoman for McDonald's said concerned residents should get in touch.

Alison Perves said: "All McDonald's restaurants are fitted with state-of-the-art odour control systems and staff regularly circulate in the local community on litter patrols.

"We have made provision for parking and, because it is a drive-through outlet, over 50 per cent of the customers will not be staying.

"We do everything we can to become a part of the local community, but if residents do have concerns, then we would be more than happy to discuss any issues with them."