THE Ribble Valley could soon be getting a Big Mac if burger giants McDonald's can whet the appetite of the local authority's planning committee.

A planning application for a 3,000 sq ft 85-seater restaurant and drive-through, to be built at the entrance of the new Enterprise Park business development off the A59 near Barrow, has been lodged with the borough council.

A spokesman for McDonald's said: "The company is looking forward to being able to create an outlet in the Ribble Valley after the Barrow site was thought to be an ideal location."

If successful the development will create around 60 jobs in the area.

The announcement coincides with an open day to be held at the former printworks site on the outskirts of Clitheroe, which has been developed for office and light industrial use.

The huge development has been put together by London-based Pilot Properties and Ashtenne plc.

The first of the office accommodation measuring 20,000 sq ft has been completed on the 40-acre site and incorporates a series of office suites in a central building complex. Already five of the suites have been reserved or let and negotiations are in hand with several other prospective occupiers to take the remainder.

Work is expected to begin soon on six two-storey terraces of offices - subject to planning permission - with a show unit and sales office opening in autumn. The terraces will surround a central court and water feature and will offer units from 2,550 to 7,871 sq ft.

The site under scrutiny by McDonald's has outline permission for developments of this type as well as a hotel and filling station.