KFC have apologised after refusing to serve a man who tried to use one of their drive-thru branches with his horse and cart.

The incident, which happened in the city of Carlisle, Cumbria, took place on Tuesday evening, June 9.

What happened?

Customer Ian Bell, from Silloth, had been out with his beloved horse, Jon Jon, when he called into the fast-food branch on London Road to get a meal.

After waiting patiently in the queue of other vehicles he was denied service.

Mr Bell, who travels every night from the seaside town of Silloth to Carlisle told the News & Star: “Jon Jon is my world he is an amazing horse and he is as quiet as a lamb. We come to Carlisle every night to help with his training.

“We go to McDonald’s and have never had a problem, I just can’t believe the way we were treated.

“When we got to the hatch the cashier just said my manager said I can’t serve you and I had to leave the queue.

“I was humiliated, there are no signs up saying I can’t go through and you’re not able to go into the store.

“I don’t understand what I did wrong.

“When I was in the car park someone came out with something written on some paper, I’m dyslexic and I couldn’t read what it said. They could have put anything on the paper.

“While I was in the car park I asked a woman to read the signs to me.

"From what she told me and from what I can see there is nothing saying I'm not able to go through with Jon Jon and the cart.

'Jon Jon is really well behaved'

Feeling discriminated against and unfairly singled out he added: "I just can't believe they wouldn't serve us. Jon Jon is really well behaved and was waiting calmly.

"Jon Jon is part of the family and is all I have he is an Irish cob and if it wasn't for him I wouldn't be where I am today."

Mr Bell explained how he had previously been in a serious riding accident and injured his pelvis, and Jon Jon has helped him find the strength to continue training the animals he loves.

After the treatment he received, Mr Bell went to McDonald's where he was able to go through the drive-through and got his meal from the Kingstown family restaurant.

What have KFC said about the incident?

A KFC spokesman said: “Hold your horses, Carlisle.

"We’re not looking to stir up trouble and we’re sorry for Ian and Jon Jon’s experience – but the safety of our guests is really important, so we can’t allow horse-drawn vehicles in our drive-thrus.”