This view may cost you...

Weymouth Council say the move would ease the burden on local council tax payers and help pay for the clean up of beaches and other areas.

But the move has angered some business owners, including hoteliers, who say it will discourage tourists, driving them away to alternative resorts.

Councillors will discuss the special holiday tax on Thursday, which could add between �10 and �20 to visitors' hotel bills.

Councillor Les Ames, who has proposed the scheme says council taxpayers have to foot a �700,000 bill each year for tourism-related expenses such as cleaning beach areas.

I've not found anyone who thinks it's a good idea in the hotel industry Chris Tucker Portland Roads Hotel

"We have something like 140,000 people in the town during the summer months, which makes it difficult for ordinary residents.

"We don't resent that, but it is a burden and I do think it could be relieved by a sensible tax."

Dorset Councillor Howard Legg said: "I think there is some merit in it because a holiday tax could be spent locally, but the problem at the moment is that other taxes, VAT for example, are extremely high.

"Hotels pay full rate, while on the continent they get a discount, which means that British hotels are not competitive."

Chris Tucker, manager of the Portland Roads Hotel, said it was a terrible idea and would turn away business.

"I've not found anyone who thinks it's a good idea in the hotel industry.

"If it was imposed nationwide then fair enough - but if it's just Weymouth and Portland then people will go somewhere else.