FAST food chain McDonald’s is creating more than 650 jobs in Yorkshire and the North-East.

It is part of a drive to recruit 4,000 new workers across the UK.

About 10 extra staff will be recruited for the McDonald’s restaurant on Kirkgate in Huddersfield, which is owned by local franchisee Pritpal Singh.

The recruitment drive comes in response to “sustained growth” which has seem McDonald’s serve an extra 2m customers a month UK-wide compared with last year.

Mr Singh, who owns 23 restaurants across the region, said: “Creating new jobs is great for the local communities that McDonald’s restaurants serve.

“My business alone will be recruiting about 100 local people to fulfil the roles generated by this growth.’’

Mr Singh added: “This recruitment drive is a clear indication that customers are responding to the restaurant modernisation programme and menu changes that we’ve been rolling out over the last couple of years.

“To maintain momentum in the business we need to keep delivering outstanding customer service to ensure they enjoy the McDonald’s experience more than ever.”

Mr Singh already employs almost 1,000 staff at his restaurants, which include ones in Leeds, Dewsbury, Shipley, Keighley, Harrogate and Knaresborough.

The recruitment drive will be backed with a McJob poster campaign on the benefits and career opportunities that are available by working at McDonald’s.

McDonald’s said growth in business had been driven by improving the menu, extending opening hours, refitting restaurants and adding free Wi-Fi.

The company has refurbished half its high street outlets and is on track to complete a £40m investment across 200 drive-through restaurants by the end of 2008.

It will also open up to 10 new restaurants this year.