ACCOMMODATION providers are calling on internet booking service TripAdvisor to acknowledge their village is part of Hay-on-Wye.

B&B owners in Cusop say though the village is just yards from the centre of the Welsh borders town the popular internet booking service insists on putting their properties under a separate listing.

Margaret Wesley, who runs York House B&B in Hardwicke Road, said seven bed and breakfast providers in Cusop were previously listed under Hay but removed without notice - and she fears her business could be forced to close as a result.

Mrs Wesley, who runs her businesses with husband Jim, said the company didn’t notify accommodation providers they would no longer be listed under Hay.

She said: "They stopped listing us as Hay late last year without telling any of us.

"All our inquiries stopped and that’s when I noticed they had put us in Cusop."

As Hay has a worldwide reputation as the home of the booktown movement, started by its self styled king Richard Booth, and hosts the annual literary festival there is strong demand for accommodation in the town and surrounding area.

But while some neighbouring towns are listed under Hay Mrs Wesley said potential visitors are unaware they could stay in Cusop, within walking distance of Hay town centre and its attractions.

"We are listed as Cusop, Herefordshire but no-one knows where Cusop is and we’re not listed as Hay as we’re not in Wales but we’re just half a mile from Hay Castle, 120 yards from the Dulas Brook and even King Richard lives in Cusop.

"Some of our bedroom windows overlook Hay town and the castle and it only takes me five minutes to walk to the castle."

Mrs Wesley said she contacted TripAdvisor on several occasions and has also written to the company.

"I’m hoping TripAdvisor will take notice and put us back under the Hay-on-Wye area. I don’t mind if they list us as Powys.

"There are other six other B&Bs in Cusop and I think we’ll be out of business in a year. If it wasn’t for our regular guests I think we would already be put out of business."

In her letter to the company Mrs Wesley said giving Cusop its own listing is "futile" as most people are looking for accommodation in Hay but are unaware bedrooms are available within easy walking distance of the town in Cusop.

In her letter Mrs Wesley has also tried to explain to the company the close relationship between the village and the larger neighbouring town.

She said: "Cusop is a very small village with no claim to fame other than it adjoins Hay.

"Cusop has 159 houses and 356 people are on the electoral roll. Cusop children attend Hay school. Cusop has a Co-Op Supermarket, known locally as Hay Co-Op which is used by people in Hay and surrounding areas."

She added that other businesses, including Hay & Brecon Farmers and Huws Gray, are based in Cusop while the newly built village hall hosts Welsh classes and is a meeting place for Hay WI and other groups.

She added: "In Hay the War Memorial has a list of Hay and Cusop boys lost in both World Wars. We might be separated by the Dulas Brook but we are one community and all come together for any occasion."

Fellow B&B boss Jan Bilington has also written to TripAdvisor advising it: "Hay-on-Wye is a border town with an English part and a Welsh part, Cusop being the English part. Your actions in moving the Cusop B&Bs from Hay is clearly displaying prejudice against the English."