A BEACH hut renter says an infestation of millipedes is keeping her up at night, with 'no action by the council.'

Thelma Bartlett, 72, from Penn Hill, has rented a beach hut at Branksome Chine since 1996 but is now considering giving it up due to an outbreak of 'thousands' of millipedes.

Thelma said: "It makes my hair stand on end.

 "I wake up in the night and can't get the image of them out of my head.

"Every time I go to my beach hut, I have to take everything out and sweep up thousands of millipedes crawling all over the place.

"They're everywhere—in the cupboards, in the sink, on the table. I even found some in my towels."

The infestation began in September 2023 and lasted until cooler weather arrived. However, this year, the issue started earlier, in early August, and has continued to spread across the hut.

Thelma sitting outside her beach hut Thelma sitting outside her beach hut (Image: Submitted)

"I spoke to a ranger who told me the council would fill the holes to stop them from getting in.

"But they just told me to keep sweeping them up and won't address the cause of the infestation," Thelma said.

To rent her beach hut on Branksome Beach, Thelma pays £3,300 a year, which, she points out, is more than her council tax.

She said: "For £275 a month, I'm having to deal with this. I can't just go down there for a swim without having to deal with these bloody things everywhere."

The infestation has reportedly affected several other beach huts at Branksome Chine, and many renters have avoided their huts as a result.

Thelma used to visit almost every day during the summer but now hardly goes because she knows she'll have to spend hours cleaning.

She added: "Individually, these millipedes aren't a major issue, but in such large numbers, it's overwhelming.

"Their faeces create a toxic and smelly mess, which we believe poses a health hazard."

Cllr Richard Herrett, Portfolio holder for Destination, leisure and Commercial Operations, said:

“We are aware that millipedes can naturally be present nearby and can migrate inside cliffside beach huts at this time of year.

“These beach huts are situated beside outdoor spaces, next to natural habitats and have small openings built into them for ventilation, and to prevent damp and mould developing.

 “Our maintenance teams have visited this particular hut. We are in touch with beach hut licensees at Branksome Chine to provide further advice and are looking at potential solutions.”