Activists staged a demonstration outside the McDonald's restaurant in Carlisle city centre as workers went on strike nationally.

The protest was organised by the Carlisle branch of the Socialist Party and Young Socialists in support of fast food workers.

The so-called "McStrike" is the first time McDonald's workers have ever staged a walkout in the UK. It is due to a dispute over pay and conditions, including zero-hours contracts, at the restaurant giant.

Although only staff at two southern England branches are taking part in today's strike, organised by the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU), the implications could be much wider.

Glenn Doncaster, from the Carlisle Young Socialists, said they wanted to stage a local protest to show solidarity with McDonald's staff but also as part of a wider protest against zero-hours contracts and low pay.

He said the aim was "to make young people more aware about the current political situation and is help them stand-up for their rights at such times of high unemployment and cuts to state education".

Mr Doncaster, who is hoping to grow local membership, added: "Young people are being exploited, and we're fighting back.

"We are protesting for an end to zero-hour contracts, which we demand all employers, not just McDonald's, must scrap; a £10 per hour minimum working wage, which we demand all employers must adopt and pay to all their workers without exception; improved working conditions for low paid workers, which all employers should observe and better union recognition for low paid workers."

Nationally McDonald's staff in Cambridge and Crayford, in London, took part in the high-profile strike. The workers are calling for a wage of at least £10 an hour and more secure working hours.

Members of other trade unions joined early-morning picket lines, while Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn offered his backing.

Mr Corbyn said: "Our party offers support and solidarity to the brave McDonald's workers, who are making history today.

"They are standing up for workers' rights by leading the first ever strike at McDonald's in the UK.

"Their demands - an end to zero-hours contracts by the end of the year, union recognition and a £10 per hour minimum wage - are just and should be met."

McDonald's said those taking action represented 0.01 per cent of its workforce, adding that the dispute was related to its internal grievance procedures.

BFAWU national president Ian Hodson, speaking from the picket line in Cambridge, said members of the public were offering their support to the workers.

"McDonald's has had countless opportunities to resolve grievances by offering workers a fair wage and acceptable working conditions.

"For far too long, workers in fast food restaurants such as McDonald's have had to deal with poor working conditions, drastic cuts to employee hours, and even bullying in the workplace - viewed by many as a punishment for joining a union," he said.

McDonald's, which employs around 85,000 staff in the UK and one million worldwide, announced in April that workers would be offered a choice of flexible or fixed contracts with minimum guaranteed hours, saying that 86 per cent have chosen to stay on flexible contracts.

A company spokesman said: "As announced in April this year, together with our franchisees, we are providing our people with the option of a guaranteed hour contract, and all restaurants will have these contracts in place by the end of 2017.

"McDonald's UK and its franchisees have delivered three pay rises since April 2016; this has increased the average hourly pay rate by 15 per cent.

"We are proud of our people at McDonald's, they are at the heart of all we do and we work hard to ensure that our teams are treated fairly. Our internal processes underpin that commitment."

Around 40 workers are on strike and a rally is also taking place in Westminster.