Travelodge is looking for 10 sites to open hotels close to railway stations where people commute to London.

The company said it already has hotels near the country's busiest 200 train stations following the official opening of its latest branch in Ashford, Kent.

Locations where Travelodge would like to open new sites include Reading, Maidstone, Stevenage, Watford and Haywards Heath.

Such an expansion would represent investment of £60 million and create 300 new jobs.

Tony O'Brien, Travelodge property director, said the company wanted to open hotels close to railway stations in key commuter towns across the South East that have a fast service to the capital.