Budget hotel chain Travelodge has opened Europe's first hotel to be constructed from modified shipping containers.

The 120-room property in Uxbridge, London, opened last week and has been built using 86 steel containers which were constructed and fitted in China.

Two different sizes of container were used in the hotel's construction, which offers double rooms measuring 5m x 3m, as well as 3.5m x 6m family rooms. Disabled rooms will also be provided.

Travelodge's managing director of international and development, Paul Harvey, said: "The opening of Europe's first hotel to be constructed from modified shipping containers shows Travelodge's commitment to innovation and cost effectiveness. Customers will notice no difference in their room to a traditionally constructed hotel, yet they will benefit from the low prices we charge due to our desire to cut the cost of doing business."

It took just 20 days for the 86 ready-made modules to be put into position using the modular build technique pioneered by Verbus Systems, a joint venture between engineers Buro Happold and constructors George & Harding.

"This modular build technique could herald a new dawn for hotel development," said Harvey.

Work on a new 307-room Travelodge hotel using the same technique is now underway at Heathrow. The company has also recently announced plans for 55 new hotels at coastal locations, and aims to expand its number of properties to 1,000 by 2020.