Big Macs spark a big rush

CHINA'S growing appetite for all things Western has helped McDonald's restaurant in Guangzhou to a group record for first-day trade.

The fast-food outlet made 14,123 sales on Saturday, its first day of business.

''People started to queue up at as early as 4.30 am, though they knew the restaurant would not open till 8 am,'' said a man at the scene.

The lengthening queue braved the chill as they waited for dawn, anxious to be the first to sample the American specialities under the golden arches.

The early-comers had to wait for several hours before a grand opening ceremony began with lion dances.

At 8.30 am, the queue was more than 200 metres long and contained an estimated 3,000 people.