PUBLIC spending watchdogs are refusing to investigate the soaring cost of replacing 120 storm-damaged beach huts.

The price of building new huts at Milford on Sea and enhancing the promenade has almost doubled - from £1.2 million to £2.3 million.

The hike has angered Cllr David Harrison, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on New Forest District Council.

He reported the Tory-controlled authority to its external auditors, Ernst and Young, over what he described as its “stupid and wasteful” use of public money.

But Ernst and Young has rejected calls to investigate.

In a letter to Cllr Harrison, Ernst and Young said: “The council has followed an appropriate decision-making process and the expenditure is within its lawful powers.”

It adds: “As there is no evidence the council is spending money on items that are not within its powers we do not feel there is a benefit to the taxpayer to carry out a detailed review as the costs of such an investigation are charged to the council.”

Cllr Harrison said: “People can make up their own minds if this is a worthwhile way of spending their money. With all the austerity cut-backs affecting thousands of people in the New Forest, Liberal Democrat priorities would be elsewhere.”

As reported, the council is about to start replacing the beach huts, which were wrecked during a ferocious storm on February 14, 2014.

The 119 new concrete huts are aimed to improve the town's seafront and will include works to the upper and lower promenades, with new access ramps and steps.