WORK has begin to install 10 new 'luxury' overnight stay beach huts on Boscombe beach.

Bournemouth council completed an initial 15 'beach lodges' at Manor Steps in January last year, sparking controversy as several owners of existing huts were left staring at the back of the new ones.

A section of promenade has been sealed off for the work to take place, and a crane is in position to manoeuvre the huts onto their supports to the east of those already on site, replacing a number of standard beach huts.

The council says the first 15 huts have proven to be “extremely popular” and are in “high demand”. One of the 10 will be used as an office.

Chris Saunders , head of seafront operations for the council, said: "We are very excited about the work starting on the second phase of the Bournemouth Beach Lodges.

Nine new units, to be built to the same very high spec of the original fifteen, will also be situated at Manor Steps.

"This is the latest stage in the regeneration of the seafront and we are sure that the whole town will benefit year round from the income generated by guests staying at the Lodges"

The zig zag will remain open throughout most of the work, although it will only be accessible at the bottom via the steps.

The duration of the work, which includes connecting the huts up to mains water, electricity and the sewerage system, has not been specified, but it is expected to last to late December at least.

The toilets at Manor Steps are closed but are scheduled to re-open late December, progress depending.

The nine lodges, which can accommodate up to six people overnight, will be "let to the public on a short stay basis", the council says.

According to the planning application, the huts will be in white and pastel colours, “of a typical design and beach hut vernacular”, and will have large timber bi-folding doors on the frontage “creating a seamless transition between inside and outside and also give the occupants the opportunity to take in marvellous sea and beach views”.

The council plans to raise the rear terrace to give the existing standard huts behind a better view over the new ones.