Travelodge is investigating after a woman checked into one of their hotel rooms and found the words "I'm going to rape you" on the TV screen.

The woman was staying at the Whitemare Pool branch near Newcastle on Wednesday when she discovered the message.

She tweeted an image of the screen with the message: "Thanks @TravelodgeUK as a woman staying alone in one of your rooms this is great. Check your TV welcome messages."

The woman - who does not wish to be named - informed staff and was given an apology and a refund. The words were also removed from the screen.

The hotel said an investigation was being carried out but there was a possibility that someone may have used the television manufacturer's code to the change the settings.

A Travelodge spokesman said: "We can confirm that a customer has advised us that an unauthorised message was placed on a television in one of our hotels.

"We have already been in contact with the customer involved and apologised that such a message could appear.

"We take the security of our guests and our systems very seriously and while this is an isolated incident, applicable to only one room, we have consequently launched a full investigation with our television supplier."

The woman has since praised Travelodge on Twitter for the way they handled her complaint.