Burger chain calls in the bouncers

Fast food chain McDonald's is employing doormen for the first time in London after a series of anti-social incidents at one of its branches.

A private firm has been drafted in for extra security at the chain's Twickenham restaurant to deal with trouble by gangs of youths.

Two guards will man the doors on Friday and Saturday nights to preserve the branch's " family atmosphere". They will try to ensure that, between 6pm and 11pm, only two youths are in the store at any one time.

The move comes after months of problems with drunken teenagers who vandalised the branch and threatened staff.

Shift manager Christine Jones, who works at the branch in King Street, said: ""The kids hang around outside drinking, smoking and causing problems."

A spokeswoman for McDonald's added: "We are a family restaurant and want to make sure we maintain that."