OVER 100 beach huts have been opened at Milford-on-Sea after the original huts were damaged during a storm.

New Forest District Council’s deputy chief executive, Colin Read, presented the first beach hut key to hut owner Colin Holdsworth of the New Forest Beach Hut Owners' Association today.

The original 1960s terraced concrete beach huts were severely damaged in a huge storm on Valentine’s Day in 2014.

The council agreed to replace all 119 of the beach huts and also use the opportunity to improve Milford’s seafront.

Mr Read said: “I am delighted to be welcoming the beach hut owners and the public back to Milford beach over the next few weeks to enjoy what we all hope will be a beautiful summer in this gorgeous location.

“I am proud that the council has been able to make the best of the unexpected opportunity to improve Milford’s seafront for everyone. I am sure the improvements will encourage more visitors and benefit the village and the New Forest coast as a whole.”

He added: It is a particular pleasure to hand the keys to Colin Holdsworth. As the representative of the Milford Beach Hut Owners Association on our project board, Colin has made a significant contribution to the vision for the seafront, along with Milford Parish Council.”

The new beach huts have been built in the same location along the top of the beach as the old huts but occupy a slightly smaller footprint, providing improved views of the Isle of Wight from around the Needles Eye Café.

They are constructed of concrete in four terraces and set back into the upper promenade to reduce their exposure to the elements.

Larger gaps between the terraces allow for better access to the beach. The promenade in front of the huts has been widened, improving access along the lower promenade.

A walkway with handrails has been installed along the tops of the beach huts, with connecting bridges between each terrace. Steps up to the rooftop walkway from the rear upper promenade double as extra seating for visitors.

A galvanised steel ramp now curves around the World War II pillbox at the western end of the site and concrete ramps have been installed to give wheelchair users and pushchairs access to both promenades.

A budget of £1.26million was allocated in 2014 for the scheme, which expanded to include improvements to the public areas around the huts, resulting in a total investment in the seafront and replacement beach huts of £2.36million. This includes £430,000 contributed to the rebuild costs by the owners of the 119 beach huts.