Group to build 13 hotels

The new establishments, including four in the London area, will add an extra 1,224 rooms to the company's existing 28,000 rooms.

The 13 hotels also include others in Cambridge, Birmingham, Huddersfield and Aldershot in Hampshire.

Travelodge's development managing director, Paul Harvey, said the hotels would help the company step up its presence in some of the UK's leading cities. He added: "During the recession we have taken the opportunity to grow where many have put their development on hold."