Carlisle city centre's McDonald's restaurant has reopened and joined the digital age.

The store, in Scotch Street, closed this month while workers made radical transformations to the outlet.

This is part of a drive to modernise all of the chain's restaurants across the UK.

The restaurant now features new self-service kiosks, digital menu boards and tablet computers with redesigned interior and exterior design, new seating and free wi-fi.

McDonald’s franchisee Chris Nicholls, who operates the two restaurants in Carlisle as well as a further six across Cumbria, said: “We’re thrilled with the transformation because we’re committed to offering our customers’ more choice and faster service.

"Technology has a huge role to play in all walks of life, including our customers’ eating out experience, so the new tech we’ve introduced recognises the way people live their lives today.”

The full amount spent on these changes has not been revealed but has been described as "significant".

Before work got underway Mr Nicholls said he hoped these changes would lead to an increase in business.

He also thinks the firm could create more than 100 jobs across Cumbria by the end of 2018.

Mr Nicholls runs eight outlets throughout Cumbria through his company HBN Restaurants, which is based in Moorhouse, near Carlisle. Four of these restaurants - in Penrith, Workington, Whitehaven and one of the two in Barrow - have also been through the changes in operation.

The outlet in Scotch Street though is the first Cumbrian town centre restaurant to change. The branch has been trading since 1989.

The firm employs 550 staff in Cumbria and Mr Nicholls estimated that this will have risen to 700 "across the business" by the end of 2018.

A McDonald's spokeswoman said: "As McDonald’s constantly strives to bring more innovation to customers in the UK; the future could see even more exciting features introduced if current trials prove successful. This includes the option to customise the classic burgers that customers know and love; and ordering and paying by smartphone."