Concerns have been raised about plans to build a new McDonalds restaurant next to a cemetery.

Eighty new jobs would be created if plans for the new 85-seat McDonalds are given the go-ahead, but there are fears its location could disturb those visiting graves.

The £1m project, which would see up to five managers and 75 part and full-time staff recruited from the local area, would be built behind the BP service station on the Old Shoreham Road, in Hove, but would still be visible from the main road and neighbouring Hove Cemetery.

Hove MP Ivor Caplin said: "While I welcome the creation of so many jobs, it sounds as if this is not an appropriate location for such a restaurant.

"I think the council will have to look very sensitively at this and find a balance which will take both factors into account."

Stephen Horlock, Brighton and Hove Council's bereavement services manager, said he had not been told about the application.

He said: "As a matter of courtesy applicants usually tell neighbours about their plans, but I have heard nothing.

"Most of the new burials take place at the northern cemetery on the other side of the Old Shoreham Road.

"But there is ground available for burials in the southern cemetery, close to the boundary wall.

"It would be inappropriate to have children's parties going on there while relatives are in the cemetery.

"I will have to look at the application, but it is possible that we will object to it."

In their application to Brighton and Hove Council, McDonalds pledge to encourage the use of the restaurants by community groups.

These would include coffee mornings for pensioners and events for cubs and brownies. Children's parties are common and held outside when possible.

A McDonalds spokesman said: "We are very mindful that this would be next to a cemetery.

"No activities will take place outside and any which do occur will be respectful of the fact that there is a cemetery next door.

"This would be particularly the case when funerals were taking place."