The first so-called coastal tourist tax in the UK has been put on hold following opposition from Dorset hoteliers.

Guests at around 70 large hotels were to be charged an extra £2 per room per night, with the levy expected to generate around £12m to support the region's tourism over five years.

A ballot of hoteliers in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole approved the levy in May.

However, more than 40 hotels have lodged an appeal with the Government over how the ballot was conducted.

The Accommodation Business Improvement District (ABID) said it would postpone its introduction until the autumn, pending the appeal.

Chief executive of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council, Graham Farrant, said: ‘We continue to work alongside our ABID accommodation providers in BCP as they develop the introduction of a levy and the council supports the ABID board in its efforts to enhance the destination's tourism offering.'