McDonald's is hoping to tempt rappers away from their usual fare of guns and women to include the words Big Mac in their lyrics.

The fast food giant is offering up to £2.80 every time the song is played on the radio, according to US magazine Advertising Age.

And the company reckons it can seduce the more hardcore stars of hip hop into setting Big Mac to a beat.

"This partnership reflects our appreciation and respect for the most dominant youth culture in the world," a McDonald's spokesman said.

He stressed that the company would have final approval over any lyrics and was only targeting artists whose style identifies with their brand.

US lobby group Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood was less impressed, however.

"They're dumping one of their most high fat, high calorific products on kids in a way that the kids won't even know its happening," said founder Susan Linn.

DeHavilland Information Services