WORK is under way on a new McDonald's in Port Glasgow which will serve up a minimum of 80 new jobs.

Contractors have started building the drive-through restaurant on a section of car park belonging to the town's Tesco superstore, opposite the petrol station.

Work got under way this week and although there is no fixed completion date as yet, McDonald's bosses say the development should be ready by 'late autumn'.

Officials have also confirmed that they will be taking on a minimum of 80 members of staff.

A McDonald's spokesperson said: "We are delighted to confirm we will be opening a new two storey McDonald's drive-thru restaurant in Port Glasgow.

"Construction started on site this week and we anticipate an opening date towards the end of autumn.

"The new restaurant will create at least 80 new jobs and provide significant investment for the local area.

"We look forward to continuing our long and positive relationship with the wider Inverclyde community."

The development was given the go-ahead by Inverclyde Council planning officials in March.

It will be located next to the spur road leading onto Princes Street from the roundabout at the petrol station.

The seating capacity will be around 160 seats with 34 car parking spaces outside.

There will be a net loss of 32 bays across the Tesco site, which has 788 spaces.

McDonald's will arrive in the Port less than a year after rivals Burger King opened a drive-through on the former Esso Clydeport filling station just across the road.

It will be the second in Inverclyde, in addition to the McDonald's just off the A8 Cartsdyke Roundabout in Greenock.