SEVEN long years after it closed, Poole’s beach hut waiting list is to re-open from Tuesday at noon.

Having gone down to 204 people, Borough of Poole felt it right to give residents the chance to join the waiting list for the popular huts.

And numbers of huts are to be boosted this year and next as the council builds another 79 to add to the 1,065 already along the seafront.

However, it will still be a two to three-year wait for a resident who will accept any beach hut, before they can unlock the doors and enjoy the view.

The new online waiting list has been divided into seven areas, Sandbanks, Shore Road, Flaghead, Canford Cliffs, Branksome Chine, Branksome Dene and Hamworthy (for the site only).

From January 14 the number of people on each waiting list will be available for residents to view before deciding which list to join. They can join as many as they wish, but there is a fee of £25 for each list.

The first list to be opened will be Sandbanks, followed by Shore Road a week later and then Flaghead, Canford Cliffs, Branksome Chine, Branksome Dene and Hamworthy at weekly intervals.

“Being able to invite our residents to join the waiting list for a beach hut at one of Poole’s fantastic beaches is long overdue,” said Cllr Judy Butt, cabinet portfolio holder for public engagement and participation.

“Poole’s beaches are one of our biggest assets and while we cannot offer people a hut immediately, I am delighted to be able to re-open the waiting list.”

To make an application go to boroughofpoole.com/beachhuts, call 01202 708181 or visit the beach office.