IT'S one of the things that sets us apart from the rest of the country.

Now, one city hotel has produced a tongue-in-cheek guide to help visitors understand the distinctive Hull dialect.

The Express by Holiday Inn, St Stephen's, has added an English-to-Hull translation document to their welcome pack, to help visitors understand the local lingo.

The sheet is part of the hotel's welcome pack for priority club customers, and includes translations for key words, such as "ner" (no), "rerd" (road) and "yerolidiz" (your holidays).

The letter which accompanies it reads: "For your entertainment we have also enclosed an English-to-Hull translation document for you to take a look at and this may help you to understand what is being said in and around the area."

But Marilyn Marsden, of Bilton, is infuriated by the move, which she sees as an insult.

Ms Marsden, who was shown the sheet by a friend who organised a stay at the hotel for a visiting business delegate, said: "I'm absolutely furious. When I first saw it I was stunned.

"I have lived in Hull all my life and our dialect is part of our heritage.

"I rang the hotel and spoke to the duty manager and I asked how he dared abuse Hull people. It is disgusting.

"He said it wasn't meant to be abusive but I feel it is a personal affront to me and the people of Hull."

The hotel said the sheet was not meant to offend and was a bit of light-hearted fun for priority club customers, as well as being useful to people who might never have visited the area before.

General manager Luc Perquin said: "Every city has a different accent, and I think everyone in Hull can acknowledge they have a different accent.

"Everybody speaks it so why be embarrassed about it?

"At no point did I ever consider this to be offensive to anyone in Hull, this has never been meant to disrespect anybody."