NEW Forest District Council has been reported to public spending watchdogs over the soaring cost of replacing 120 storm-damaged beach huts.

The concrete huts at Milford on Sea were wrecked by 80mph winds that battered the area on the night of February 14, 2014.

As reported in the Daily Echo, the bill for replacing them has jumped from £1.2 million to £2.3 million - almost twice the original estimate.

Now the Tory-controlled council has been reported to local government auditors by one of its two Liberal Democrat members.

Cllr David Harrison described the extra expenditure as a "stupid and wasteful" use of taxpayers' money.

The initial price tag, agreed by the authority in 2014, was based on the cost of replacing the original beach huts with similar structures.

But council officers say the scheme has since been expanded to include improvements to the seafront.

Colin Read, executive director of operations, said: "Our decision to use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to look at the wider benefits that could be gained from this project for residents and visitors to Milford meant that costs increased. An upturn in the construction industry has also seen prices rise."

The Cabinet's decision approve the extra expenditure was rubber-stamped at this week's meeting of the full council.

Cllr Harrison, who voted against the proposal, said: "I can't support the project in its present form. It's costing too much - we have breached our duty to the taxpayer."

But former council leader Mel Kendal, who lives in Milford and represents the village on the authority, rejected criticism of the scheme.

"It will restore and improve the seafront, resulting in more visitors to the area," said Cllr Kendal.

"We want Milford to remain a good tourist spot. The economic return to the rest of the New Forest is very important."

Beach hut users pay the council rent totalling £45,600 a year and are also contributing £429,877 to the cost of the proposed new structures.

Cllr Sophie Beeton, Cabinet member for environment, defended plans to replace the original huts and enhance the seafront, describing it as a "good and efficient use" of council cash.

Work is due to start in September, with the new huts ready for occupation in April next year.

The council's finances are monitored by Southampton auditors Ernst & Young. The person dealing with Cllr Harrison's complaint was unavailable for comment.