Hamburger restaurant staff gave out free meal vouchers at hospital

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital managers had previously claimed the visits helped lift the spirits of poorly children. But some parents had criticised the weekly visits to the Buxton ward.

Toys, balloons and vouchers for free food were handed out and the Department of Health said it had no plans to ban the practice.

A spokeswoman for the hospital said: "The visits are a form of entertainment for the children.

"They break up the day and are productive in helping them get better.

Over the 14 years we have been visiting the hospital we have had no complaints and have raised over �1,000 in the last 12 months McDonald's spokeswoman

"It was up to the parents whether they keep the vouchers or not," she added.

The spokeswoman said: "It encouraged children to eat at a time when they often do not want to eat at all.

"When a child is in hospital sometimes it's a bonus to get them to eat anything," she said.

The Department of Health said it was aware of the visits, which are believed to take place across the country, but said it had no plans to ban the practice.

A spokeswoman for McDonald's denied the visits were harmful to children's health.

She said they were part of a charity initiative by the local restaurant to raise funds for the ward and they were proud of their efforts.