SHOPPERS were given leaflets as part of a protest against fast-food chain McDonald's.

London Greenpeace staged the 'anti-McDonald's day' outside restaurants throughout the country, including the Blackburn town centre branch.

The group - which is not the same as the national Greenpeace organisation - claims the burger firm damages the earth by cutting down forests to make paper packaging.

It also claims the company exploits youngsters by paying them poor wages.

Shaun Dodds, of the North West branch of London Greenpeace, said: "We just want to get a message across that McDonald's isn't the caring firm it portrays itself as."

McDonald's spokeswoman Eddie Bemsilum said: "Our stand on the environment has been well documented over the last few years and I'm surprised there are still people protesting about this.

"Everyone is entitled to their say and to protest as long as it is legal and peaceful.

"But London Greenpeace is an anarchist group and the feedback we were getting from our customers in Blackburn was that they were irritated by these people."

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