BOSSES at restaurant chain KFC have denied they will be offering free food to anyone who dresses up as Colonel Sanders and camps outside a new store.

According to rumours circulating on the internet, the new KFC in Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, would give fans of the company's fried chicken free meals for a year - if they dressed up as the chain's founder.

It was suggested customers would need to camp outside the restaurant overnight wearing the costume ahead of the branch's launch on August 14 to qualify for the offer.

One internet user suggested the promotion was inspired by suggestions put forward by customers eagerly anticipating the opening.

Customers apparently joked that the restaurant could give away free food for life for anyone who camped outside the branch ahead of its launch.

The user added: "The store manager heard about all the online jokes and has decided to make it real. He just added the bit about Col Sanders and changed it from free KFC for life to just a year."

However, others suggested the idea was a wind-up.

A KFC spokesman also dismissed the promotion, telling The Northern Echo on Wednesday that the branch at the new £25m Princes Gate shopping and leisure complex would not be offering free food.

The company added that it did not usually run promotions to coincide with new restaurant openings as staff were still training.

Three Facebook groups have been formed in recent years calling on KFC to open a branch in Catterick Garrison, which is home to Europe's largest Army base.

One group says it is for "all people who are sick of driving over 15 miles to taste that finger licking chicken. Lets get a KFC in Catterick".

Several shops at Princes Gate have already opened their doors to customers with more due to open shortly.