Travelodge has launched its biggest lodge to be opened this year in Slough.

The company says Slough was selected as host to the largest outlet because of its 'strategic importance' both for business travellers - 30,000 people commute to Slough every day - as well as for its proximity to the M4, London and nearby tourist attractions such as Legoland and Windsor Castle.

The lodge boasts 157 rooms, a workspace meeting room and bar/café. Rooms are priced at £49.95 per room per night.

'Slough is a very important opening for us,' explains Simon Turl, Travelodge's chief operating officer. 'Its reputation as a dynamic and thriving business centre grows daily, giving us a large commercial audience from the town and its surrounding areas, as well as increasing numbers of tourist visitors.'

The company says it is actively looking for more key opportunities to develop in city, urban and roadside locations as well as near to major transport links such as airports, railways and motorways.

Recent openings include lodges in Sunderland, Blackburn and Inverness with more openings due in the coming months, in places including Lees, Galway and Perth.

A charity balloon release was organised at the launch in Slough to raise money for Travelodge's chosen charity, the British Paralympic Association. Details: www.travelodge.co.uk