The 2006 Open Championship takes place from 20 to 23 July

Visitors to Royal Liverpool at Hoylake will by given free lodgings by local church members in the Wirral area.

In return, they will donate �25 per night to charity under the scheme.

Tournament organisers expect about 50,000 visitors a day, with almost all hotel and guest house accommodation booked for the event from 20-23 July.

Wirral Council said the shortage of accommodation was one of the biggest challenges facing the community during the championship.

Church help

It will be running the Hospitality Scheme in association with local churches.

The scheme was the brainchild of the Reverend David Muir, who was formerly a minister at Saughall Massie in Wirral.

A similar scheme operated to house athletes during the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002.

Wirral Council said its tourism team will visit homes in the scheme to ensure standards are maintained.

The council will also be the point of contact for golf fans looking for a place to stay during the championship.

The Open Championship is returning to the Royal Liverpool Golf Club for the first time since 1967.