Pranksters targeting fast-food haters have struck a second time in two years, this time in St Albans.

Residents of Marshalswick noticed a deceiving sign put up on the former site of The Baton pub, which has been earmarked for a Marks & Spencer.

It had the iconic McDonald’s logo and read: “All contractors must report to the manager before entry.”

McDonald’s have confirmed it is a joke: “McDonald’s currently does not have plans to open a new restaurant in St Albans.”

This comes after similar antics fooled many Harpenden residents on April Fool’s Day in 2015.

Outrage erupted when locals spotted a McDonald’s drive-thru planning application notice for Bowers Parade in the High Street.

This also turned out to be a trick - with the reference 5/15/APRL1 as an Easter egg for anyone observant enough.

At the time, many were fooled. Someone commented on Facebook: “I’d hate a McDonald’s in Harpenden. It would then make it like every other town. A crap hole.”