A drive-through McDonald’s restaurant in South Harrow has been granted permission to stay open until midnight at weekends.

The Shaftesbury Circle branch of the fast food chain applied for a one-hour licence extension, allowing the takeaway to remain open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Harrow Council’s licensing committee granted permission on condition the restaurant increases the number of litter bins in Shaftesbury Circle.

Staff will also be required to empty the bins before 11pm, when the additional hour of service begins.

Of those residents consulted about the licence alteration, seven wrote in objection to the proposals and two in support.

Ron Jeeves, chair of the CCF Foundation, a charity which operates the Found shop on Shaftesbury Parade, wrote: “The degradation of Shaftesbury Circle caused by rubbish and fly-tipping is out of control and customers’ litter from McDonalds is only part of the problem.

“McDonald’s does operate a litter collector but if they are extending opening hours they will need to significantly increase this facility.”

Councillor Simon Williams, a Conservative representative for Harrow-on-the-Hill, welcomed the litter bin agreement.

He said: “Shaftesbury Circle can get very busy and the amount of litter is unacceptable. We all have a role to play in keeping our neighbourhoods clean and tidy and I am pleased that McDonald's will play its part.

“Clearly the council has significant responsibilities to residents and businesses and many people feel let down when they see how filthy Harrow is becoming. By working together, we can at least try our best to make things better.”