Fast-food giant KFC has been forced to issue their first ever ban on youngsters eating without adults inside the restaurant - after a spate of fights involving teen gangs.

Under-18s can only eat inside the restaurant in Meir Park, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire if they are accompanied by an adult.

If they are on their own they can only enter the premises to order food to takeaway.

Fast-food giant KFC in Meir Park, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire has been forced to issue their first ever ban on youngsters eating without adults inside the restaurant - after a spate of fights involving teen gangs

Last week McDonald's in Meir Park issued their first ever ban on youths - which came just days after police were called to a fight involving 24 youngsters on the nearby A50.

The fast-food giant confirmed it was the first time the company had ever been forced to issue a partial ban on customers.

Now the KFC restaurant in the same area have copied their rival and issued a similar ban to stop the youngsters causing trouble.

Manager Liam Dalgarno said: 'The way some of these youngsters act can be scary for staff.

'People shouldn't have to experience that.

'Under-18s are not strictly banned from the premises, they can come in to order their meal but then they have to take it out.

'A minority had been causing trouble. Really they only came in for the Wi-Fi but we have reduced the distance of it so now it only reaches the doors.

'We had problems on a daily basis and we work closely with our PCSOs and police officers.

'We have gradually started noticing a difference since this policy was introduced and these measures help the staff to feel safer at work.'

Last week McDonald's in Meir Park issued their first ever ban on youths - which came just days after police were called to a fight involving 24 youngsters on the nearby A50 (stock photo)

Staffordshire Police have stepped up patrols in Meir this month after trouble between groups of warring youngsters.

After the fight on the nearby A50, officers made eight arrests and seized two firearms.

Broadway and Old Meir Community Association chairwoman Janet Bellis said: 'It doesn't surprise me KFC and McDonald's have policies such as this.

'These gangs come in and buy one drink to be there legitimately but they take up seats, they're loud and they put customers off.

'This gang problem in Meir is pretty scary and there has been trouble at KFC before.

'I'm not excusing the youngsters' behaviour, but where are they supposed to go?

'I feel sorry for them as there is nothing here, it is a sad state of affairs. This is not what you want in the place where you live.'

Local resident Shaun Brundrett, 28, added: 'Meir has always had a reputation for anti-social behaviour.

'There have always been issues and given what has happened recently I can understand why KFC is doing this. This policy might help in the short-term.'