London's biggest branch of McDonald's has been given permission to operate 24 hours a day, despite opposition from the Met Police and other organisations.

McDonald's Leicester Square is one of the capital's busiest restaurants and is currently closed for just over two hours from 2.45am to 5am.

Now, franchisee Capital Arches Group (CAG) which runs 40 branches of McDonald's across London and Home Counties, has been given approval from Westminster Council to operate the Leicester Square branch 24/7.

The approval comes with conditions, including ensuring at least one door staff member is working from 8pm onwards. From Thursday to Saturday, at least two door staff will be required from 10.30pm to 5.30am.

Other conditions include child safeguarding measures, safety provisions for staff, no deliveries between 11pm and 8am and a half-hourly litter pick of the area immediately outside the venue.

The business received the go-ahead despite objections from the Metropolitan Police, the Licensing Authority and Environmental Health officers. Westminster Police Licensing Team wrote that the area was "already saturated with late-night licensed venues" and that the additional hours could contribute to an increase in crime.

But Westminster Council’s licensing committee found there was no proof to link McDonalds' current operating hours with local crime levels. Nearby licensed venues also showed their support for the application, including Hippodrome Casino, the Londoner hotel and HOLBA.

Agents Joshua Simons & Associates wrote: "McDonald’s Leicester Square is located in a major part of London's West End with a mix of other late night premises such as adult gaming centres, casinos, cinemas, theatres and other late night entertainment venues.

"There are excellent transport links including underground, buses and taxis and this creates a high passenger transport accessibility level.

"The premises are categorised as a quick service restaurant that provide food items from the McDonald’s menu for dine in and takeaway. Due to the central location of this McDonald’s there is no delivery service offered.

"The premises already benefits from an existing premises licence that has been operated since 2013 which currently permits the provision of late-night refreshment from 11pm to 3am for seven days a week.

"This is an application for a new premises licence for late night refreshment Monday to Sundays inclusive 11pm to 5am. Should the new application be granted, then the existing premises licence shall be surrendered."