McDonald’s bosses have explained why their staff refused to serve two ambulance crew members trying to buy food on their break - and have issued an apology to the two men.

Steven McAllister and Kris Allan were entering their eighth hour of life-saving work last Thursday when they stopped for a break at the popular fast food restaurant.

The emergency service workers headed to the fast food giants’ Irvine restaurant at 2.15am in their ambulance after hearing they were open 24 hours a day following a refit.

Steven, from Irvine, and Kris, who hails from Kilmarnock, found out that only the drive-through was open after trying to get in through the front door.

But their ambulance vehicle was too large for the drive-through lane.

Instead, the workers - who were in the midst of a 12-hour shift – spoke to staff at the window in a bid to order their food.

But upon speaking to workers, were told they could only be served if they were in a vehicle because of company policy.

Steven told the Irvine Herald : “My workmate Kris and myself were on a 7 to 7 nightshift on Wednesday, and didn’t get sent for our break until 2am.

"As we hadn’t brought anything from home to eat we were going to buy a take-away. But by that time in the morning everywhere was shut.

“Someone said the new refurbished McDonald’s was opened 24/7 so we went there.

“We got there about 2.15am, parked up and Kris went to the door and it was closed but we could see the staff working away so he went to the drive through window to order only to be told ‘we can only serve you if you have a car’.

“Kris said ‘we are in an ambulance as you can see and it is to big to fit in the drive through’. The worker said she would ask her supervisor and when she returned she reiterated she could not serve anyone there unless they had a car, it’s company policy.

“So we thanked them and went back to the station and had a coffee.”

The burger wars are alive and kicking still (
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McDonald’s say that they cannot serve anyone on-foot because of health and safety regulations.

A disappointed Steven said the rules are a bit daft but was happy enough to get McDonald’s the following day with his grandkids.

He added: “We were quite hungry by that time and had our mouths shaped for a Big Mac ! So disappointed to say the least, and still hungry.

“It just seemed very silly. They are open for business, we’re there to buy their food, and because we couldn’t fit, it’s a no sale. Crazy.”

A McDonald’s spokeswoman said: “Due to licensing restrictions at our Irvine restaurant the dining area cannot be opened overnight. The Drive Thru is open 24 hours but unfortunately vehicles as large as an ambulance cannot fit through the lane.

“We would like to apologise to the ambulance crew involved in this incident who were unable to access the restaurant but due to health and safety regulations we cannot serve anyone on-foot via any of our Drive Thru lanes.

“However, wherever possible we are keen to serve anyone from our emergency services and will be in touch with them to make amends.”