A MAN claims a fast food restaurant refused to serve him when he tried to purchase a hot drink for a homeless woman.

Anil Barber said he was visiting the McDonald's restaurant in China Gardens at 3am on Friday for a late snack when he was asked by the woman who was outside for a cup of tea.

However when the 38-year-old went to the counter and placed the order, he claims a manager told him he was not allowed to buy the hot drink because the woman is homeless, and it is encouraging her to beg.

McDonald's said the woman has been banned from the restaurant, but denied it had anything to do with her being homeless.

They said she was banned in the interests of customer and staff safety.

Mr Barber, of Olive Street, Daubhill, said: “I went out for some food and I saw the woman, who I have seen before and I always give her a couple of quid because I know her.

"She was shivering and shaking sat outside, and I asked if she wanted anything to eat or drink, so I went in and asked for a cup of tea and a cheeseburger.

"She is a troubled lady and her clothing was soaked.

"But they said they wouldn't serve me because she was causing a nuisance. I said: 'I am just trying to feed a homeless person'.

"For them to refuse to serve me is beyond belief. I gave her a £10 note when I left so hopefully she got some food.

"In that situation it is the only thing to do, I wanted to help her but they wouldn't serve me."

A McDonald’s spokesman said: “There is no policy of banning homeless people at McDonald’s.

"The circumstances surrounding this individual’s ban have no link to her being homeless and our restaurant team acted in the interests of the safety of our customers and employees.

"We apologise if this was not made clear at the time. ”