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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
World
Tom Kershaw & Sophie McCoid

McDonald's stop girl claiming free fries because of little known small print catch

An eleven-year-old girl was left stunned this week - after McDonald's staff refused to serve her free fries - saying she wasn't old enough.

Lynsey Medd, 41, said her daughter was left embarrassed after staff refused to redeem her winning monopoly sticker, because she was under 16.

Now Lynsey wants the fast food chain to serve under 16's food in unbranded packaging to stop them feeling disappointed when they win, but can't claim their prize.

Speaking to Hull Live Lynsey said: "At the end of the day, it's a game, but it's encouraging gambling for young children.

"My problem mainly is that you wouldn't sell a child a lottery ticket and then a scratch card, but not be able to scratch it off or claim the fortune."

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Lynsey had allowed Amber to visit the Willerby branch of McDonald's on the shopping park at the weekend.

Lynsey Medd with her daughter Amber (Peter Harbour)

The pair had purchased their meals with their own saved-up pocket money and Amber's friend had peeled off an "instant win medium fries".

However, when Amber went up to the counter to cash in the Monopoly token she was told she wasn't allowed the free food due to the fact she wasn't old enough.

Lynsey continued: "If I'd have been with her, I'm sure it would be fine, but McDonald's need to stop this promotion.

"It probably would be better if McDonald's did ban her from going inside but all the kids love getting the stickers, don't they.

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"But, on a serious note, I just think this promotion with the McDonald's stickers promotes gambling and promotes unhealthy eating.

"The larger meals have more stickers on them - so why wouldn't they want an adult meal, or a larger meal to get more stickers."

Amber Medd was stopped from claiming her free fries (Peter Harbour)

McDonald's says the rules on its popular promotion are clear - and that is the reason Happy Meals do not include stickers on packaging.

However, Lynsey says children of Amber's age range want more than just a Happy Meal because they aren't "filling enough".

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A spokeswoman for McDonald's said: "In accordance with relevant advertising regulations, our Monopoly promotion is unsuitable for those aged under 16.

"To avoid causing unnecessary disappointment as a result of this age-restriction for the promotion, it is clearly stated on all McDonald’s Monopoly promotional advertising, packaging and on our website."

Prizes on the monopoly promotion range from £100,000 as the top prize, along with cars, expensive tech, holidays and free food and meal vouchers.

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