The opening date for a huge new McDonald's located in a Tesco car park has finally been revealed.

Anticipation has been building ever since the restaurant seemed to "appear out of nowhere" in Cheriton, Folkestone, in September.

But bosses have stayed tight-lipped every time KentOnline has asked when the branch - the town's third McDonald's - would welcome the first punters under the famous golden arches.

Even earlier this week the press office declined to comment, despite work on the drive-thru seemingly complete.

But today a banner has been put up on the fence around the site, saying: "Not long now. Your new McDonald's opens on November 16."

Fans of the fast-food giant will be celebrating the prospect of the two-storey restaurant opening in less than a fortnight.

However, critics of the scheme remain concerned over the potential for a a spike in littering and traffic gridlock - particularly when Tesco gets busy during the Christmas period.

The new location, close to the M20 and the Channel Tunnel, faced bitter opposition from members of Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) during the planning stage.

There were fears over the impact of increased littering and more traffic on local roads, since the site has to be accessed via the existing supermarket car park.

Although councillors threw out the plans, this decision was later overruled by the Planning Inspectorate and the Cheriton High Street drive-thru was given the go-ahead.

Last month Green Party ward councillor Rebecca Shoob told KentOnline she is determined to hold McDonald's bosses to account when it opens in the neighbourhood.

"I'll be speaking to local residents and keeping a close eye on traffic and litter levels once the drive-thru opens," she said.

"I sincerely hope the impact on local residents is as minimal as McDonald's have promised.

"However, residents have legitimate concerns about a drive-thru on the doorstep and if we do see increases in litter and traffic problems as a result, I will be raising these with the council and the operator."

At the planning stage, McDonald's committed to carrying out litter-picks in the surrounding area three times a day to reduce any negative impact on the local community.

Liberal Democrat Cllr Tim Prater says his group on FHDC, which includes Cheriton ward member Peter Gane, will also be monitoring the new restaurant closely once it opens to the public.

He said: "I know Peter will be absolutely watching the new development for the impact on litter, traffic, and queuing to access the Tesco/McDonald's parking.

"We will also be watching for the increased use of the lights at Cheriton Interchange which should never have been installed without pedestrian crossing lights.

"Peter has raised these lights to Kent County Council repeatedly already as dangerous to use for pedestrians, and they will become even more so as more people will use them to get to McDonald's.

"I know he was disappointed the government inspector allowed the development on appeal after local councillors listening to local residents refused the development."