Families were frightened and horrified when firecrackers were set off while they tucked into burgers at a fast food restaurant.

Youths are thought to be responsible for setting the firecrackers off at the McDonald's restaurant in Dartford yesterday evening.

It is thought a group of youngsters opened the door to the outlet at the Priory Shopping Centre, at about 6.30pm and threw the small explosives inside.

No one was injured during the incident, but one parent who didn't want to be named said the firecrackers where thrown in next to people queueing to order.

The parent was at the venue with her young children.

She said: "It sounded like a bomb went off.

"They threw the fireworks into the area where people were waiting to be served."

No one has been arrested in connection with the incident.

Police spokesman, Amanda Wills, said: "Kent Police was called at 6.35pm on Friday to a report of firecrackers being set off at a fast food restaurant in the Priory Shopping Centre, Dartford.

"Officers attended and inquiries into the incident are ongoing."

Please find below a statement attributable to a McDonald’s spokesperson;

A McDonald's spokesman said: “The safety and security of our people and customers is of the utmost importance to us. We therefore take a zero tolerance approach when it comes to crime and anti-social behaviour in and around our restaurants. We can confirm that an incident took place in our Dartford restaurant on Friday evening. Police were called and we are currently assisting with their enquiries.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident and hasn’t already spoken to police is asked to phone 01634 792209 quoting 05-1473.