Edinburgh Zoo, Liverpool Aintree and the Glasgow SECC are among some of the "tourism and event hotspots" added to a list of nearly 150 new UK locations targeted by Travelodge.

The budget hotel chain has reviewed its list of target sites after a successful 2011, which saw contracts exchanged for 44 new properties during the course of the 12 months.

Travelodge said its decision to expand the list was influenced by the continued availability of sites previously earmarked for residential or commercial development.

Guy Parsons, the company's chief executive, said: "The expansion of our target list reflects the confidence I have in the ability of our property team to move quickly and secure the best sites.

"We are flexible and willing to work with a wide variety of partners, ensuring that the developers who fund the construction of our hotels can move quickly and secure finance from a number of different sources."