THE official opening of Swanage’s new beach huts will take place next weekend, it has been announced.

Swanage Town Council funded the new huts as part of its £2.85 million seafront stabilisation scheme, which was completed earlier this year.

That overall project included constructing a retaining wall and pinning back the soil on the Recreation Ground, relocating the town’s war memorial and building new toilets, a kiosk and the two tiers of beach huts.

During Saturday’s official opening, the chance to use a beach hut free of charge for a week, and a free car valet courtesy of the Westover Group – which is backing the opening event – will be raffled off.

Information boards will also be on display telling the story of the seafront stabilisation scheme.

Swanage Town Council deputy mayor, Cllr Steve Poultney, said: “This work has been essential to protect Swanage seafront from the effects of landslips, ensuring that it remains a key attraction to visitors in the town.”

The year-long project saw its fair share of dramas – three workers were taken to hospital after a cache of World War Two phosphorus grenades were ignited by a 20-tonne excavator, prompting the area to be sealed off by the bomb squad.

On another occasion work was delayed after a skeleton, that turned out to be a horse, was discovered in the sand.

A town council spokesman said: “Come along and visit the beach huts. Bookings are now being taken for the 2015 summer season.”

The official opening takes place on Saturday, March 14 between 11am-2pm.

For enquiries please contact Swanage Tourist Information Centre via mail@swanage.gov.uk or call 01929 422 885.