The newly-completed Travelodge near Portman Road stadium in Ipswich will welcome its first guests next week, the hotel firm has announced.

Travelodge's new 99-room hotel has been handed over by developer Burney Group after work started on the project in January.

The works on the project were carried out by JW-G Construction, with Ipswich-based firm Haydn Evans on site as structural engineers.

Travelodge had previously said the hotel would be ready by Monday, June 19 and started taking bookings from that date.

But the company has now said bookings will be taken online from Wednesday, June 21.

Travelodge has said an official opening event will take place at the end of July.

The new hotel is next to the former gym and Staples building in Russell Road, Suffolk County Council's Endeavour House and directly behind Portman Road's Sir Alf Ramsey stand.

Ipswich Town have purchased the gym and Staples building and are working on proposals to demolish it to create a new entrance to the football ground, as well as create room for a new fan area on match days.

Once the former retail warehouses are demolished, the back of the Sir Alf Ramsey stand is expected to be opened up to create a new entrance to the football club, especially for fans heading to matches from the railway station.

Speaking previously, Shakila Ahmed from Travelodge said: "We are working around the clock to get our fourth Ipswich Travelodge hotel ready for the summer season. 

"Travelodge is currently evolving its core brand product to a new budget-luxe premium look and feel design - whilst maintaining its great value price proposition.

"Ipswich Central Travelodge will be our first hotel in Ipswich and Suffolk to feature our new budget-luxe premium look and feel design."

Earlier this year, Travelodge announced plans to open as many as 10 new hotels in Suffolk.