Social housing chiefs are planning a £2 million strictly kosher hotel in Bournemouth to serve both their clients and holidaymakers.

Agudas Israel Housing Association and the Schonfeld Square Foundation have bid for an existing hotel site in West Cliff, which they intend to refurbish. The resulting three-star establishment will have 33 rooms, a swimming pool, synagogue and kosher kitchen. The hope is to open in the summer.

"The Jewish community has a huge amount of wonderful projects for the vulnerable in our community but there is no Jewish holiday facility for them," said AIHA chief executive Ita Symons. "I'm trying to fill that gap.

"A kosher-eating person can only go to Israel or some places in Europe for a holiday. There is a loss to the community by not having anywhere to go in the UK."

She added that "the reason we can succeed where others have failed is because we are not buying it to make money. We are doing it to serve the Jewish community in the UK."

Priority would be given to the needy -- "we will be able to subsidise and give huge discounts." For other holidaymakers, "the idea is also to help those who haven't got posh flats in Netanya and Herzliya. If people want to enjoy a stay, they will be welcome and they will also bring in much needed funds."

Charitable foundations have been approached for assistance.