THEY are the perfect place to pull up a deckchair, put your feet up and drift away in the sun.

These beach huts on the beautiful Sussex coast dominate the top ten in an annual competition.

A train-themed hut, one kept in honour of a much loved mother and grandmother, a Sri Lankan themed Boho Beach hut and a charity hut have made the top ten in Beach Hut of the Year 2016.

The winning hut will be awarded £1,000 from Location, Location, Location star Phil Spencer, a commemorative plaque, free insurance and £500 for their beach association.

Hut 279 in Hove is owned by The Grace Eyre Foundation, which supports people with learning disabilities. It has been a popular spot for people supported by the charity for ten years now, hosting drawing classes, barbecues, parties and art exhibitions.

Volunteer Scott Roedersheimer said: “We are ecstatic, very delighted and excited about this competition. No one makes any profit from this hut and the winning will be reinvested to make the hut a nicer place for our people.”

With colourful, Sri Lankan themed decoration, the Boho Hut is another in the top ten in Hove.

Jessica Christie-Miller, the owner, bought the hut a year ago and after buying items on a family trip to Sri Lanka she used them to decorate the hut with a Sri Lankan theme.

“We feel very passionate about it, it’s a place for the family to enjoy, and is a fun sea front thing,” she said.

Jessica offers the hut to all charities in Brighton and Hove and a percentage of the rental fee will be reinvested in charity.

As reported in yesterday's Argus a hut dedicated to the memory of much-loved mother and grandmother Sally Burgess has made the top ten in Bexhill.

Train driver Chris Dewey themed his hut at Glyne Gap in Bexhill in the style of a Southern train station or signal box. Beach Hut of the Year 2016 is an annual award held by Towergate Insurance.

The winning hut will be chosen based on people’s votes and thejudgment of a team of property experts led by Phil Spencer, star of Location, Location, Location on Channel 4.

Votes close at 3pm on July 12 and the winning hut will be announced on 19 August.

The winning hut will be awarded free insurance, a commemorative plaque, £500 for their beach association and £1,000 cash from Phil Spencer.

To vote, visit towergateinsurance.co.uk