Batty bear hotel

A hotel is opening in Beaulieu exclusively for guests of the small and furry persuasion.

The odd concept hotel is for teddy bears whose owners are loopy enough to pay £80 for the ‘spa getaway’, allowing the inanimate toys detox, spa treatments, excursions and gifts.

The Bartie Bristle Hotel and Spa is due to open in June, proprietor Julie Tatchell also runs a collectable bear shop.

Tatchell said: "Our vision is to create an environment where today`s over-stretched urban teddy can escape for a few days to recharge the batteries in surroundings of unashamed luxury.

"At the Bartie Bristle Hotel, we go the extra mile to do whatever it takes to restore every bear to the bright-eyed good looks and shiny coat of its youth.

"In the end I think the bears go back feeling special and that they have been rewarded for their faithfulness to their owners."