A burger war for the over-18s is starting in North Yorkshire, with a pub chain taking on American fast-food giant McDonald's.

ON A PLATE: Meal sampler William Francis with the burger meals from McDonald's, left, and Yates's Wine Bar

Yates's Wine Lodge, with pubs in York, Harrogate and Scarborough, has launched a burger meal which is cheaper, by 14p, and nearly twice the size, at seven ounces uncooked, of the McDonald's equivalent.

"If you want something to eat," said Roy Stephens, manager of the York pub, "you don't have to go to McDonald's.

He admitted the service could not be as quick as a fast-food restaurant, but added that they were trying to provide "value for money" on the high street.

Yates's has run burger and beer promotions before, but this time it is offering a soft drink with the meal, an attempt to bring new customers into the pub environment.

William Francis, 22, a recruitment consultant and eater of burgers, sampled the alternatives.

"The McDonald's was only half a meal," he said while sitting in the non-smoking section of Yates's, another concession to the food side of the pub trade, "but this is the real thing.

"McDonald's is quicker and more convenient, but time is no substitute for quality, taste and quantity.

"If I had a good 20 minutes spare, then it would be Yates's. I'm stuffed," he added.

A spokesman for McDonald's said: "We've offered good value across our menu for years. Promotional opportunities at other restaurants aren't much of a worry to us."

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