A CORFE Castle hotelier once compared to Basil Fawlty in a national newspaper is launching a book of his experiences.

Andy Hageman, 42, who runs the 16th century Mortons House Hotel, hit the headlines last month when one of his guests appeared before magistrates accused of assaulting him - an event reminiscent of an episode of the classic comedy Fawlty Towers.

But he had already won the nickname two years before when broadcaster Sue Lawley, writing in The Daily Telegraph, concluded he "clearly thought Fawlty Towers was a management training video."

The comment inspired him to write the book Inn Keeping with Mr Fawlty, which chronicles the comic occurrences of his 13 years in the industry.

He told the Echo the assault episode, which happened last July, didn't made it into his book, but there where plenty more that did.

He said: "I'd tell stories and people were always saying that's amazing - you should write a book' so I did! I've seen and heard things you wouldn't believe."

His accounts range from sleepwalking guests, to the antics of c-list celebrities staying at the hotel, which was named the South West's best small hotel of the year in 2005.

In the introduction, he writes: "Basil Fawlty may not be a figure you would think it sensible to aspire to, nor to be compared with; however, having accommodated a few Germans, hotel inspectors, unmarried lovers, doctors and spoon salesmen myself, comparisons start there.

"I have a great deal of sympathy with the much-maligned Mr Fawlty, because very few people can ever understand the stresses and strains the industry puts upon the hotelier."

After seven years running the hotel Andy is selling up and looking to spend more time with his wife and two daughters, but despite some hair-raising experiences he says he has no regrets.

He added: "Ninety-nine per cent of guests are fabulous - it's the best business to be in if you love people."

  • Inn Keeping with Mr Fawlty is available at the hotel and from Amazon.