A COUNCILLOR is calling for fast food firm McDonalds to be served with an ASBO - because its customers keep littering the North Yorkshire countryside with fast-food wrappings and packaging.

The ground-breaking antisocial behaviour order is being demanded by Coun Brian Percival, who represents villagers living near the fast food outlet on the A64 at Bilbrough Top, between York and Tadcaster.

He has written to Steve Martin, director of environmental services at Selby District Council, to claim there is "excessive and persistent litter, emanating from discarded fast food wrappings," along Colton Lane, Colton, Red Hill Lane, Bilbrough and the A64 leading to Tadcaster.

He condemned the "obnoxious attitude" of McDonalds' customers, which he said had caused extensive distress to local communities.

He said McDonalds had tried to deal with the issue previously, but claimed it did not now collect litter off-site because it was considered to be unsafe.

"The parish councils in the area have protested long and hard and now, with the facility of Antisocial Behaviour Orders available, I make a formal request for an investigation leading to the application of such an order on McDonalds at Bilbrough Top."

He said he wanted the ASBO to prohibit takeaway foods being sold in packages that were subsequently discarded in the countryside.

But Mr Martin told the Evening Press he did not think an ASBO would be appropriate in such circumstances, because they were normally served in conjunction with the police on individuals because of their anti- social behaviour.

However, he said that officers would investigate the litter problem, and have a chat with staff at McDonalds to see if anything could be done to tackle it.

A McDonalds spokesman said the company's restaurants operated very much as part of their local communities, and naturally took pride in the appearance of their local environment.

"As a responsible business, we are always looking for ways to engage and promote effective and workable environmental practices, and to this end we have worked closely in partnership with the Government in the development of the recently-launched government

voluntary code of practice - 'Reducing litter caused by food on the go'," he said.

Updated: 08:42 Wednesday, December 22, 2004