PLANS to sell Big Macs round-the-clock have sparked a warning about healthy eating from a Glasgow councillor.

PLANS to sell Big Macs round-the-clock have sparked a warning about healthy eating from a Glasgow councillor.

Patricia Gibson claims a bid by McDonald's to open 24 hours will lead to drunks congregating near houses by the Darnley branch.

The company also wants to open through the night at its premises in Helen Street, Govan, after its Springburn Road outlet got the go-ahead to do the same last month.

Only the drive-through sections in Darnley and Govan would be open from 11pm.

But Mrs Gibson has objected to the Darnley plan, which is in her council ward, saying it would encourage unhealthy eating .

The SNP councillor said: "Glasgow City Council needs to be more circumspect about granting licences to vendors that sell unhealthy food with little nutritional value well into the small hours.

"If this application is successful it will attract youths in the early hours and at weekends - no doubt the worse for having taken excessive alcohol - creating noise and litter in the area.

"Glasgow City Council is doing all it can to promote healthy eating. No one can stop those who wish to from eating unhealthy food, but we can stop short of encouraging it.

"Granting this late licence would encourage unhealthy eating and contradict the healthy eating policies of the council."

McDonald's has revamped its menu in recent years and introduced salads and fruit after criticism of the nutritional value of its food.

A spokesman said: "By opening longer, we hope we will continue to provide a good service to existing customers and also to new ones - police officers, firefighters, taxi drivers and all those workers who keep the local area going throughout the night."

McDonald's said it would be glad to discuss the nuisance concerns with Mrs Gibson.

On the healthy eating issue, the spokesman said: "We are clearly disappointed by Councillor Gibson's comments, which do not reflect the substantial changes made across our entire business in recent years."

The council's licensing committee will consider both applications tomorrow.

The Darnley restaurant is currently open until 11pm, with the drive-through open until 1am.

There have been no objections to the extension of hours for the Govan branch. It is open until 11pm seven days, with the drive-through until 1am during the week and 2am at weekends.

A council spokesman said it could not comment on applications before they went to committee.

But officials said opinions on the nutritional value of food - be it burgers or beetroot - could not be taken into account.