THEY cost more than the average house but demand for beach huts on Mudeford Sandbank continues to rise.

Estate agents have reported record increase in the sought-after huts with one just snapped up for an eye-watering £275,000.

The wooden hut, on the harbour side of the sandbank, sleeps four to six people and has a kitchenette, decked area and storage space.

But its price tag puts it more than £50,000 above the average UK house.

The hut was sold by Denisons in Christchurch where Senior Director Andy Denison said his office has also seen huge interest in another hut, currently up for sale for £250,000.

This hut is on the beach side, also sleeps four to six people, and has a mezzanine floor, kitchen area, sun deck and easy access to the land train.

Mr Denison told the Daily Echo his office sold at least 10 huts last year - many for £250,000 plus, and he expects brisk business this year too.

“The prices are a fraction up on last year but that does not put people off” he said.

“There is a cross-section of people who buy them with some living locally as well as London buyers.”

Mr Denison said he has a waiting list of people who are interested and that they sell almost immediately.

“It is not the same as most house purchases because they are cash buyers and the money is transferred straightaway” he added.

As well as the purchase price, owners also pay annual rates of around £500 and ground rent averaging £3,000 per year, depending on the size of the hut. There is no running water and hut owners share public toilets and shower blocks.

Mudeford Sandbank is a popular area with locals and visitors alike. Access is by boat or land train and there is a restaurant and shop.

Many owners rent their huts out for upwards of £1,000 a week in the summer.

The price of a beach hut there is the same as a two-bedroom semi-detached house in Southbourne, a three-bed flat in Christchurch or a three-bed detached house in Boscombe, all currently on the market.

If you move further afield, your money would buy a four bedroom detached house in parts of Devon or Cornwall and an even larger property in other areas including Lancashire.