Pet Shop Boys are to open a string of boutique hotels.

The electronic pop duo are hoping to unveil a string of simple accommodations as part of their plan to expand on their own brand, X2, a record label they set up following their departure from EMI Records after 28 years.

CHRIS LOWE told the Daily Mirror newspaper: ''Once you have your own logo, you start thinking the sky's the limit. Perfumes? Underpants? We've already decided we're going into hotels. Ours will be a basic range, like the White Company, nothing fancy.''

Neil Tennant revealed they were inspired to buy their own estates after watching a series of property shows on television.

He explained: ''The TV was on all the time when we were recording our latest album. I quite like 'Escape to the Country' actually.''

Meanwhile, the 'West End Girls' hitmakers are set to unveil orchestral arrangements of their most famous hits at the BBC Proms on July 23, in addition to a piece inspired by wartime codebreaker, Alan Turing.

In a statement, the duo said: ''It is an honour for us to be invited to present some new music at the Proms and to celebrate Alan Turing 60 years after his death.''

Paloma Faith is also on the bill for the two-month festival, which takes place at London's prestigious Royal Albert Hall from July 18.