FANS of KFC restaurants in Oxford were disappointed as the county was affected by the chicken supply problem which has closed hundreds of restaurants.

The KFC in Cornmarket Street was shut, together with the Cowley Road and Peartree Roundabout branches.

There was further disappointment for fast food fans as Nando’s in George Street is not due to reopen until tomorrow as its interior has been refurbished.

And there were no burgers on offer at McDonald’s in Cornmarket Street as it is also being refurbished and will not open until March 1.

And one vegan restaurateur in Oxford said yesterday it was the perfect time for diners to try something a little different.

Lola Dixon, who runs Happy Friday Kitchen in Cowley Road, said now was a good time to switch to a vegan diet.

Her restaurant sells a ‘mock’ chicken burger, a vegan alternative to KFC, with the ‘meat’ made from wheat gluten.

Ms Dixon said: “Now is a good time to try vegan food and you would be surprised how many non-vegans are coming in.

“No animals die to produce the mock chicken burger and it’s very healthy so everyone wins.”

KFC has given no notice of when operations would be back to normal.

In a statement KFC said: “We’ve brought a new delivery partner on board, but they’ve had a couple of teething problems - getting fresh chicken out to 900 restaurants across the country is pretty complex.

“We won’t compromise on quality, so no deliveries has meant some of our restaurants are closed and others are operating a limited menu, or shortened hours.”