So says a former vicar who has opened one of the country's more unusual hotels - on a pair of converted narrowboats currently moored near Warwick.

Visitors to the Saltisford canal centre this weekend will have the chance to see how luxury can be built into tiny confines.

Reed Boats are owned by former vicar the Rev Martin Reed, who will be demonstrating his venture to the public on Saturday and Sunday.

Although the rooms are small, Mr Reed said the hotel makes up for this with three members of staff looking after eight guests.

He said: "People can see exactly what we mean by four-star luxury."

The pair of narrowboats, each 70ft long and 7ft wide are decorated in the traditional style with rose and castle painted panels on the doors and flowers on the roof. One holds the motor and tows the other on week-long cruises around England's 3,000 miles of waterways.

Mr Reed, who describes himself as manager, chef and dogsbody, left the ministry for the "different" stress of running his own business after many years of taking narrowboat holidays.

He added: "There is a certain magic to being on canals.

"You have the stresses of running a hotel and meeting targets but you are your own master to make it or fail.

"Taking the boat through a series of locks in the pouring rain is horrible but sitting on the stern of a boat cruising through the countryside with the sun going down is unbeatable."