Angry Butlins guests are to stage a John Lennon and Yoko Ono-style lie-in to protest against a proposed new bed tax.

Guests at Butlins in Bognor will stay in bed for an extra hour to show their opposition to the tax, which could add up to £150 to the price of an average family holiday.

They will join forces with fellow guests at Butlins resorts in Minehead and Skegness for the mass lay-down, and sign a petition.

The new tax, proposed by the Lyons Inquiry into the funding and function of local government, would put a ten per cent extra levy on all overnight stays, in addition to VAT.

John Dunford, Butlins' managing director, said: "This proposed bed tax would be a huge slap in the face to our loyal guests who rely on Butlins to provide great-value, fun-packed family breaks in the UK.

"We are mobilising the Butlins community to have its say in opposition to this ludicrous proposal, to send a message to MPs at the forthcoming party conferences.

"The additional threat of Gordon Brown's eating out' tax could further hit UK holidaymakers staying on both self catering or half board breaks, who dine on or off the three resorts."