PICTURES showing queues of dozens of cars waiting to get into a prominent Lancashire fast food restaurant have surfaced.

Hundreds of McDonald’s stores across the country re-opened their Drive-Thru service this week after they were forced to close their doors in March amidst the coronavirus outbreak.

The news of their re-opening this week caused thousands to flock to their nearest branch to get their cheeseburger and chips fix – and that was no exception in Lancashire.

Photos sent in to the Lancashire Telegraph show dozens of cars queuing to get in to the McDonalds next to the Ewood Park roundabout, with causing gridlock traffic in the area.

One man, who had been out to collect his shopping, said it would have been ‘almost impossible’ to access any of the other stores in the retail park where McDonalds is situated due to the lines of people waiting to get in.

Among many others, the fast food giant announced the latest round of drive-thrus opening would include two Burnley franchises, two in Blackburn, two in Rossendale, one in Colne, one in Clitheroe (A59) and one in Accrington.

A McDonalds spokesman said: "Today we’re announcing a further 497 restaurants that will be operating their Drive-thrus from 11am, and 43 restaurants that will begin offering McDelivery.

"We have fewer employees in our kitchens to enable our teams to social distance and work safely.

"McDonald’s and its franchisees are working closely with local authorities and the police, and may determine that it is necessary to close Drive Thru lanes if queues cause disruption at busier sites or put employees or customers at risk.

"We will have a limited menu (no breakfast or Shakes for now) and will open for reduced hours (11am-10pm)

"We encourage you to use contactless payment methods and cap your spend at £25

"For those visiting our Drive Thrus, you can browse the menu, order and pay ahead using the My McDonald’s App - we’ll start preparing your order when you’re near the restaurant.

"We’re delighted to be returning to communities across the UK and Ireland, thank you for your continued support and patience. We look forward to seeing you soon."

To help create safe experiences, McDonalds has taken the following steps:

Perspex screens at Drive-Thru windows and employees wearing protective equipment, as well as Perspex screens and floor markings in specific areas in the restaurant and kitchen.

All McDonald’s employees will be asked to confirm they are fit and able to work and contactless thermometers will be used to take employee temperatures on arrival at work for every shift.