A DRIVE-THROUGH McDonald’s restaurant had an unexpected visitor when pranksters threw a live chicken into one of its restaurants.

Police and RSPCA officers were called to the to the fast food restaurant at Wolviston Services, near Billingham, earlier today (Tuesday, January 27) to deal with the unexpected visitor.

The unknown youths ordered and paid for their food but instead of collecting their order, they decided to throw a live chicken through the serving hatch of the restaurant.

Restaurant staff immediately rang the police and the RSPCA was alerted.

The chicken, which was unharmed, was collected by animal welfare officer Ron Crawford and is in the care of the RSPCA.

RSPCA deputy chief inspector for the Cleveland and County Durham, John Lawson, said: “We would like to discourage people from repeating such pranks.

“Chickens are protected animals and are protected under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

"To subject the animals to pranks such as this could be an offence.”

The RSPCA is now investigating this incident.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Mr Crawford on 0300-1234-999.