Bucks Free Press readers have described the arrival of a fifth McDonald's restaurant in High Wycombe as 'ridiculous'.

Alan Butchers, franchisee owner and operator of the chain's existing McDonald's branches in the town confirmed that a new site would open at the current Pizza Hut restaurant on Ryemead Way this week.

It comes after staff at the Italian chain told customers it would be leaving the retail park in September after the venue's lease expired.

Mr Butchers told this newspaper he was excited to open Wycombe’s fifth outlet of the multinational fast-food chain, describing it as a “significant local investment” that would create 60 full and part-time jobs.

Adding: “We look forward to further contributing to the community (through) continuing the work done in our other High Wycombe restaurants including daily litter picks and fundraising for Ronald McDonald House Charities.”

While operators may be welcoming the new addition to Wycombe Retail Park, some residents aren't so sure a fifth local branch of the burger restaurant is a good thing.

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Reacting to the news on social media, Steph Mingard described the plans as "madness", adding that she would especially miss Pizza Hut's famous all-you-can-eat buffet.

Meanwhile, Nikita Kukjans said she didn't "see the appeal of having another one" in Wycombe, but acquiesced that at least the building wouldn't become another empty unit.

Claire Jayne Griffiths also described the arrival as "utter madness" while Amanda Stringer said she thought there were "enough McDonald's in this bl***y town" already.

And Ziggy Hartnett questioned why measures could be introduced to ban outdoor smoking for health reasons when "there are never any restrictions o the number of fast-food outlets", while Abdul Sallam joked: "No A&E - but let's have another McDonald's!"

Lynette Maunder similarly described the move as "ridiculous", adding: "Is Wycombe trying to see if it can have more McDonald's than any other area in the country?"

Some were more optimistic at the prospect of a new local site, however - Simon Hallas simply wrote, "I'm loving it" while Julian Walters suggested that the branch would mean people living nearby wouldn't have to venture into the town centre or to Beaconsfield Services to get their fix, urging them to "let East Wycombe have one".

While the number of fast-food outlets in the town may be on the rise, it hasn't quite reached the territory of Westminster in London, the official UK McDonald's capital, which has an impressive 15 restaurants. Do you think Wycombe could be coming for its crown?