A FRANCHISE operator in the giant McDonald’s fast-food chain has been fined more than pound;12,000 for illegally employing schoolchildren. Surrey County Council’s child employment team took Ikhya Enterprises to court for not registering its staff with the local education authority, and for working some of its young employees late into the night on school days. The youngsters would often work without any rest breaks at the two outlets in Camberley, Surrey. The company, which runs the McDonald’s restaurants, was fined pound;12,400 plus pound;60 costs. The fine is one of the biggest ever imposed on an employer for child labour offences.