HOTELIERS reacted with fury after tourism minister Margaret Hodge launched an attack on the industry.

She claimed British hotels were expensive and of "worrying quality" in an interview with influential magazine Holiday Which?

And her comments have been slammed as unhelpful and disappointing by those in the hotel trade in Bournemouth.

Alison Gandolfi, chairman of the Bournemouth Area Hospitality Association, said high tax levels in Britain make it difficult to compete with other countries and added: "I am disappointed by what she has said - perhaps she would like to do something about the tax levels."

The Boscombe hotelier said Bournemouth's own quality scheme exists to encourage high standards but added: "There are a small number of premises which are of concern but we are working to improve that."

Mike Francis, chairman of Bournemouth Tourism Management Board, added: "Margaret Hodge should come to Bournemouth to see what prices we charge here - some hotels in the town are under-priced.

"She should also be encouraging people in the trade, not knocking them."

Margaret Hodge attacked hotel standards as part of a wide-ranging blast against attractions in the country.

She said rush hour on the London Underground was "dreadful" and said poor facilities at Stonehenge could see it lose its World Heritage Site status.

Bournemouth council's head of tourism Mark Smith said: "Our hotels are among those offering the best value in the world and recent surveys have shown that.

"We also have the benefit of our own inspection scheme which ensures that local hotels are up to scratch."

He added: "The council is very keen to ensure that hotels are independently assessed."