RESIDENTS in Stretford say they are fed up with a local hostel flouting planning regulations by operating without a licence.

Peppers hostel at 17, Greatstone Road, Stretford advertises on the internet for backpackers from around the world to stay for just £12 a night.

They even offer guests the opportunity to work for their keep.

The hostel is located in a semi-detached house opposite Stretford High School, but residents say they don't want it there.

One local resident told SUM: "It's like Hostels R Us round here. I regularly see people arriving with backpacks on looking for one of the hostels."

Peppers advertises on www.hostelworld.com and describes itself as a "home from home."

Guests can make full use of the range of facilities it offers, including the common room and television, smokers' room, self catering kitchen, free tea, coffee and toast, laundry facilities, free bicycle hire, internet access and free luggage storage.

The owner of the hostel has also been looking for staff to work for the summer music festival catering business.

Recent visitors to the hostel have rated it on the website under five different headings. The last review was posted on July 26 this yea. That person gave Peppers 60 percent for security, staff, fun and location and 80 percent for character.

Local Talbot ward councillor Simon Beaumont said: "I reported that this building was being used as a hostel to planning officers in April this year, but the council's enforcement officer who carried out the check said it was being used as a shared house and not a hostel."

Trafford council planning officer, Graham Sharples, confirmed this week that an application was made several years ago to allow number 17 Greatstone Road to continue as a hostel, but this was turned down and there is an outstanding enforcement notice on the property.

He said: "Clearly any such use as a backpackers hostel would be unauthorised."

SUM tried to contact the owner of Peppers, but the hostel is not listed under directory enquiries and www.hostelworld.com had not replied to the online feedback form we filled in as SUM went to press.