A COUNCILLOR wants supporters of a controversial 'pillow tax' to think again because it could damage Weymouth's vital tourist economy.

Coun Brian Ellis's stand is being backed by furious hoteliers and tourist chiefs.

He fears such a tax will drive away the very visitors that Weymouth relies on but Coun Les Ames, who is spearheading the proposal, claims that tourists actually like and support the idea which he feels will generate money to improve resort facilities for tourists.

He will be asking council colleagues to back the idea when it goes before the economic and regeneration committee on September 23.

But Mr Ellis said the notice of motion was "ill-conceived" and national news coverage meant hundreds of thousands of people were getting the message that if they come to Weymouth and Portland they may face a tourist tax even though it will be six weeks before the idea is even debated.

He added: "This might lead to people deciding to go elsewhere and take their spending power with them and that is something that the borough can do without.

"Like it or not, Tourism accounts for about a third of the borough's economic base and to proffer a new pillow tax which is unnecessary and unlikely ever to come into being is putting jobs and investment in the borough at risk."

Mr Ellis said it could hit investment and key tourist elements such as cafes, restaurants, food stores, attractions and any number of small businesses.

Chief executive Alan Davis of the World Heritage Coast Hospitality Association, formerly Weymouth Hotels and Catering Association, agreed and said: "We have been inundated with calls on our helpline from hoteliers worried at what they see as a stealth tax on visitors. They fear it will really hit tourism if it comes in and they are absolutely fuming."

More opposition came from South West Tourism chief executive Malcolm Bell who said: "We are totally opposed to the proposed 'pillow tax' in Weymouth.

"We already have tax on tourism in this country in the form of things such as VAT and car parking. The problem is that the money is not being channelled back to areas like Weymouth.

"In addition, much of the financial cost and benefit of tourism comes from day visitors and the proposed tax would only hit staying visitors."

But Mr Ames said only legislation was being applied for so a tourist tax could be used if the resort wished one.

He added: "If the tax does come in then it has to be ring-fenced to ensure that every penny raised goes towards improving tourist facilities in the town.

"I don't think such a tax will be detrimental to the town.

"Our population doubles for six months of the year and we don't have the infrastructure to cope with it."