The FINANCIAL -- McDonald's UK is to create at least 2,500 new jobs across the country this year, taking its workforce to 90,000, according to Caterer and Hotelkeeper.

An estimated 30% of those jobs will go to first-time workers, with more than half expected to go to young people under the age of 25.

The news was welcomed by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, who visited McDonald's UK training centre in East Finchley, London, this morning.

The new jobs build on the 13,500 jobs McDonald's has created over the past three years.

McDonald's has awarded almost 35,000 qualifications from maths and English certificates to foundation degrees in the past five years.

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