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Restaurants and hotels are being held “hostage” TripAdvisor reviewers threatening to give a bad write-up unless they get freebies.

Guests are using the popular review website to blackmail their way into better service, meals and free upgrades, say owners.

Often they demand a free bottle of wine, dessert or a bill reduction in return for not posting negative comments online.

Martin Couchman of the British Hospitality Association said: “People threatening bad reviews to extort free things is a problem which has been growing.”

“We would advise that business owners do not respond,” he added.

A TripAdvisor spokesman told the Telegraph: "Allegations of blackmail or threatening behaviour by guests are taken very seriously. If an owner experiences this, we urge them to contact us. We have a way for owners to proactively report threats."