HOLIDAY Inn will trial a free five-minute human bed warming service - where a member of staff, dressed head to foot in an all-in-one sleeper suit, warms up the bed until it's nice and toasty.

"Like having a giant hot water bottle in your bed" is how Holiday Inn spokeswoman Jane Bednall described the idea.



Dr Chris Idzikowski, director of the Edinburgh Sleep Centre, said the idea actually could help people drop off to sleep.



"There's plenty of scientific evidence to show that sleep starts at the beginning of the night when body temperature starts to drop,” he said.



"A warm bed - approximately 20 to 24C (68-75F) - is a good way to start this process whereas a cold bed would inhibit sleep.



"Holiday Inn's new bed warmers service should help people achieve a good night's sleep, especially as it's taking much longer for them to warm up when they come in from the snow."

Originally published as Hotel staff get in your bed for free