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A McDonald's in Wales has banned children from the restaurant after a spate of violent behaviour.

Youngsters will not be able to scoff their Big Macs inside unless accompanied by an adult.

They will even have to be escorted out by bouncers after being handed their grub.

The burger restaurant in Ebbw Vale, South Wales, was forced to take the extreme measures after police repeatedly had to be called in.

The fast food franchise in the Welsh town slapped the ban on youths after 5pm, in response to an array of brawls in McDonald's across the area.

McDonald's said anti-social behaviour issues were affecting the wider area - not just the Ebbw Vale restaurant- and it was working with local police on measures to address it.

A sign by the door reads: "Due to an increase in anti-social behaviour incidents over recent weeks, between the hours of 5pm and 10pm, no groups of youths unaccompanied by an adult will be permitted to stay in the restaurant.

"During these times, youths will be permitted to purchase food, wait to collect and then be required to leave immediately.

"We are working closely with Gwent Police to address this continuing issue.

"We apologise for having to implement these actions but the safeguarding of our staff and other customers is of utmost importance to us."

Last month, at the nearby restaurant in Newport, a huge brawl erupted among teenagers.

A man was filmed being assaulted and required medical attention.

It is not the first time McDonald's has taken action to curb rowdy youths.

In Kent, in 2017, several branches banned under-21s from eating in the restaurant to stop gang violence.

At the so-called "roughest" McDonald's in London, the chain turned off the free WiFi and started blasting out classical music.

Various franchises have tested out playing Mozart and Beethoven, which the chain says encourages more acceptable behaviour.

Some customers have praised the ban.

Lee-Anne Lovley Wall said: "About time, they brought it upon themselves."

Pat Smith blasted the measure: "Again the minority spoiling things for all young people."

Nigel Pritchard wrote: "Good, about time, they get away with everything these days."

But teenagers have reacted furiously to the decision, after being made to wait in the freezing cold.

One said: "Terrible service, made us stand outside because we're teenagers who have done nothing.

"Just wanted to eat our food, but instead we had to wait outside in the freezing cold.

"They need to understand that not all teenagers misbehave."