Budget hotel group Travelodge said that it is doing everything it can to help a guest who was extensively bitten by bed bugs during a stay at one of its London hotels.

She and her two sister booked into the 400-bedroom hotel after experiencing difficulties with their journey home following a visiting to a fourth sister in London. On waking in the middle of the night, Bratt discovered the three beds swarming with bugs of all shapes and sizes.

"It was an absolute nightmare," she told the Daily Mail. "To think that they had been crawling around us while we were asleep is absolutely awful and now I'm covered in these bites."

Shakila Ahmed, spokesperson for Travelodge said that the infestation of bed bugs found in the room had been treated immediately by a pest control company following Bratt's complaint.

"The company used a SID treatment which includes steam, insecticide and a diatomaceous earth," she explained.

"As unpleasant as the subject is, from time to time, hotels can be infested with pests. Bed bugs infestations can come from a number of sources, including trains, tube trains seats and theatres.

"Unfortunately, it is not a foreseeable issue and neither can we pinpoint the source of the infestation or who brought them into the hotel. Bed bugs are not associated with dirty premises.

"A few insects can cause a considerable number of bites on an individual. Also, the incubation period is such that it is hard to spot until the insects are active."

Ahmed added that Travelodge had been in regular contact with Bratt since the incident on 11 November and was doing everything to help her.

Bedbugs - a bug's life >>

Profiting from 2012 - The bedbug menace >>

Bed-bug sniffer dog Lola starts work in UK hotels >>

Travelodge to shed 49 hotels and reduce rent on 109 more as it enters CVA >>

By Janet Harmer

E-mail your comments to Janet Harmer here. Tabletalk If you have something to say on this story or anything else join the debate at Table Talk - Caterer's new networking forum. Go to www.catererandhotelkeeper.com/tabletalk

Catererandhotelkeeper.com jobs

Looking for a new job? Find your next job here with Catererandhotelkeeper.com jobs