Free rooms for Mary and Joseph at Travelodge

Here's a fantastic PR stunt from Travelodge: it is offering couples called Mary and Joseph a free "room at the inn" at any one of its 322 hotels in the UK. The 'gift' of a free night's stay is to make up for the hotel industry not having any rooms left on Christmas Eve over 2,000 years ago when the original 'Mary and Joseph' had to settle for the night in a stable.

Today's Mary and Joseph are offered a "spacious Travelodge family room which can also cater for a baby and a manger". A free car-parking space will be provided for the donkey and there are plenty of rooms available for the Shepherds and Wise Men to book. The couple can stay anytime from Christmas Eve to the Twelfth Night.