A purpose-built hotel for the blind and partially-sighted, the first of its kind in Britain, has opened in West Sussex.

The £41 million Russell Hotel in Bognor is designed to be as user-friendly as possible and has talking clocks in rooms, beds for guide dogs and rails along the wide corridors.

A textured carpet in the lobby helps guide people to the reception and dog-grooming areas.

The hotel is managed by the Action for Blind People charity and funded by the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.

Head housekeeper Sue Clark said: "We have been very busy and everyone seems to be enjoying their stay here.

"We have a lot of repeat business and if we have room we can occasionally cater for sighted people."