Contractors were working on a new drive-thru area at the Consett fast-food restaurant and had called in north east crane hire Reeds Bray to lift an outdoor chiller unit into place when it tipped over.

Staff inside the building reported hearing a loud bang around 1pm and went outside to see the Kato 25t city class machine boom had smashed a large hole in the roof.

A McDonald’s spokesperson said: “This afternoon a crane has caused damage to the roof of our Consett restaurant.

“The crane had been on site to carry out scheduled development work and toppled while moving an outdoor chiller unit.

“Thankfully nobody was injured.”

The Health and Safety Executive has been informed of the incident and is making inquiries jointly with Durham County Council.