The cost of a sea view is always at a premium.

But these humble beach huts will cost you £12,000 for a mere 1.8 square metre area.

The opportunity to buy these wooden shacks – a stalwart of Victorian holidaying – is being offered to residents by Brighton and Hove City Council for the first time in a decade.

The local authority is building 17 new beach huts on the seafront near Hove Lagoon and only offering them to council taxpayers in the city.

Despite only five being built, the agents have already received dozens of queries. Barry Hough, from Parsons, Son and Basley, said: “It’s quite exciting all round.

“Since we started marketing last week there have been 35 enquiries asking for application forms.

“The attraction of beach huts is simple.

“It gives a bit of privacy on the seafront, it can be used as a changing room and it gives you somewhere to brew a cup of tea.

“With a beach hut you can stay down at the seafront all day without needing to travel home.”

The new huts will be the same design and dimensions as the other beach huts along the promenade.

They will be green and burgundy but owners can paint their doors any colour they choose.

David Smith, Brighton and Hove City Council’s cabinet member for culture and tourism, said: “They’re ideal if you live locally, as it’s like having a holiday on your own doorstep.

“We’re delighted to be offering these to the city’s residents to enjoy for many summers to come.”

The figure of £12,000 is based on the most recent sale of privately-owned huts.

Owners will still have to pay an annual licence fee, which is currently £283.33.

For further details call Parsons, Son and Basley on 01273 274028 or email barryhough@psandb.co.uk.