MORE than 3,000 people have registered an interest in Bournemouth's new overnight beach huts.

Bookings for the 15 new huts opened on Monday last week with 52 firm reservations made within the first week.

And half are already reserved for the Bournemouth Air Festival weekend and for the first date they become available in April.

Around 7,000 people have visited the website for the Bournemouth Beach Lodges and the council is confident they will be a huge success.

"We have got a high level of bookings and everyone is very happy" said a council spokesman. "It is going very well and we are on track."

The huts, situated at Manor Steps, sleep up to four adults and two children and have a lounge, kitchen, bathroom, WiFi, TV and heating.

Prices at the £1.75 million development, between Boscombe and Southbourne, start at £450 for a mid-week, spring break, rising to £1,875 for a 10-day break in August or at Christmas.

Bookings are being taken for stays from April 7 onwards.