ANYONE doubting the power of publicity should look no further than Bournemouth's Langtry Manor Hotel.

Their phone started ringing the moment the closing credits of Five's The Hotel Inspector rolled across more than a million TV screens and it hasn't stopped since.

For while no-nonsense presenter Ruth Watson may have turned up her nose at the honeymoon suite's avocado heart-shaped bath, it seems prospective guests are not in the least deterred.

"The enquiries started about five minutes after the programme ended and are still going strong," said managing director Tara Howard.

"We've had loads of brochure requests, restaurant bookings, wedding enquiries and emails. The feedback has been fantastic.

"Everyone has said they thought the hotel came out of the programme well. The only thing that upset some people was Ruth Watson's swearing."

Tara's mother and hotel chairman Pamela said: "I think it was very well done.

"I do think at times we were set up but on the whole it was much better than it thought it might be.

"We wanted to present ourselves as a hotel that was different to the norm. We've always said that we weren't a typical Bournemouth hotel and hopefully people saw that."

The programme made the most of 39-year-old Tara's fiery relationship with her mother but on the morning after the night before, the couple appeared relaxed and confident.

"The crew was with us for around four months so it's not surprising that they got a couple of good arguments," said mother-of-four Tara.

And Pamela, 80, said nothing in the programme came as a real surprise.

"We each knew what the other thought," she said. "I have my priorities and she has hers. Sometimes they clash."

But things have undoubtedly improved since Ruth's departure. Daily bickering sessions have been replaced by structured monthly meetings and Pamela says she is trying to stay behind the scenes.

The refurbishment programme is continuing with Tara aiming to eradicate all remaining chintz in favour of a contemporary look.

But the avocado bath might just have a stay of execution: "We can't source another heart-shaped bath from anywhere!" said Tara.