CAMPAIGNERS calling for fast-food chain Burger King to open up in the city say they have heard back from the company.

The ‘People of Worcester want a Burger King’ Facebook page was launched last weekend and has already sparked a reaction.

Craig Smith, 28, had been posting on social media for months about his hopes for the Whopper restaurant to come to the city, which inspired Barry Bozward to start the page.

Mr Bozward, 39, said: “We’ve had almost 800 likes already and there’s definitely a lot of interest.

“We’ve had Burger King contact us on Facebook. They say they’ve seen the interest we’ve stirred up and they have passed the message on to the people who make the decision.”

He said members of the group had also come up with the idea of a Worcester Whopper - the brand’s signature burger given a local twist by being flavoured with Worcestershire Sauce.

He said: “Worcester is world-famous for Lea and Perrins Sauce, so it would make sense to promote a special burger flavoured with our own local product.

“We hope that the interest stirred up by our campaign might persuade potential franchise holders that there is a future in opening up a Burger King here in Worcester.

“One has just opened up in Hereford, so the demand seems to be there.”

Responses to the story on the Worcester News Facebook page were mixed, with some backing it, but others saying there are too many fast food outlets already.