A PCC candidate has backed calls for Darlington’s Nando’s to serve halal food.

The Conservative candidate for the Police and Crime Commissioner role in Darlington and County Durham said he ‘strongly supports’ halal campaigners.

A branch of popular chicken restaurant Nando's is set to open in Darlington at the end of March, as part of the new Feetham’s development.

This week, a petition was set up by campaigners hoping to persuade the new restaurant to serve halal food.

PCC candidate Peter Cuthbertson is one of more than a hundred people to have signed the petition thus far.

He said: “You don’t have to be a Muslim to want Muslmis to feel welcome to eat in the new Feethams development.

“So I hope Nando’s will make sure halal food is an option when they open in Darlington next month.

“To be clear, I think this is a decision for Nando’s to take – no-one should force them.

“But I hope people will sign the petition as I have to encourage them to serve halal food in Darlington.

“It’s more customers for Nando’s and another option for people who want to eat halal food.

“It’s win/win – go for it, Nando’s.”

Reacting to the petition, a spokeswoman for Nando’s said yesterday: “It’s great to hear that we have so many passionate fans and we actively take all feedback seriously. “However, when deciding whether a restaurant will serve halal chicken, we always consider a number of factors - including local demand and business needs and currently over a fifth of our restaurants serve halal chicken."