McDonald's, the worldwide hamburger giant, is testing five new-look restaurants in the UK in a bid to improve its high-street image.

The eye-catching red-and-yellow colour scheme of the traditional restaurants has been replaced by more subdued hues including khaki, lime, orange and russet. The new restaurants will also feature low-level lighting, stools and easy chairs.

The move is the first big marker put down by new UK chief executive Steve Easterbrook, who was promoted to his post this April. The changes fall within McDonald's strategy of reinventing itself under a programme it has dubbed "Plan to Win".

On a global scale, McDonald's is already seeing results from this scheme. Earlier this month, it said that sales at restaurants open at least 13 months were up by 3.8% in July. Europe was key to this growth, with same-store sales on the Continent rising by 5.3%.