FAST food chain McDonalds says it has invested around £2.5m in St Helens town centre this year with the building of a new restaurant and the transformation of their existing take-away in the town centre.

The restaurant chain’s growing presence in the town has drew criticism from some Star readers.

However, the company has spoken of its high-tech makeover on Church Street, which has created five new jobs.

It is one of the first McDonalds in the country to feature self-service kiosks, digital menu boards and tablet computers.

The refurbishment follows the construction of a two storey restaurant on Chalon Way last year, which created around 60 jobs.

With McDonalds also having a drive-thru restaurant, off the St Helens Linkway, some have questioned why it should have so many venues within a few miles.