Finally, KFC responds after a man was left devastated after being refused service at the Carlisle branch for going through the drive-through with his horse and cart.

On Tuesday evening Ian Bell from Silloth had been out with his beloved horse, Jon Jon, who was pulling a cart with him on it.

Mr Bell had called into the drive-through at the London Road branch to get a meal.

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

Feeling hard done to Mr Bell, who travels in from Silloth every night said: “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.

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.

A KFC spokesman said: “Hold your horses, Carlisle. We’re not looking to stirrup 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.”