Rolling Stones rocker Keith Richards bought one for £60,000 and artist Tracey Emin decorated hers with naked self-portraits.

Our nostalgic love affair with the beach hut has been re-ignited with a little PR from celebrities. A patch of seafront has never been so competitive.

And new beach huts have proved so popular in Seaford that the council plans to more than double its stock to meet demand. It has a waiting list of 146 people wanting to buy or rent one on the promenade.

About 60 new beach huts were snapped up earlier this year between Splash Point and Martello Tower. Up to 90 more could be built on Bonningstedt Parade - 20 years since they last stood on the stretch - in time for the summer.

David Swaysland, 61, and his wife Diana, of Meads Road, bought one of the first huts at Splash Point in April.

Mr Swaysland said: "I grew up in Brighton and it has been a lifelong dream of mine to own a beach hut.

"We moved away to the West Midlands for 30 years and then came back to Seaford and wanted a spot by the beach.

"If you live in a seaside town then you ought to go down to the sea, appreciate it and spend time there. It's nice to have your own place by the beach where you can make yourself a cup of tea or coffee, have a slice of cake and take in the view.

"I've used my beach hut mostly in autumn and spring because I think the sea and view is more interesting then. I'm not one for lying down and sunbathing."

Jon Freeman, leader of Seaford Town Council, said: "Every time there is a bit of publicity about beach huts the interest in them always increases.

"People want somewhere they can come and spend time with the grand-children, friends and family and own their place on the beach. It brings a vibrancy and a bit of life to the seafront."

The Splash Point beach huts started at £7,068 including VAT but some have since been on the market for £12,000.

Mr Freeman said the popularity of the new beach huts had been proved by the waiting list, which was "being added to on a near daily basis".

Guitar legend Richards recently paid £60,000 for a shack at West Wittering, near Chichester. Beach hut prices hit an all-time high last year when one sold for £160,000 in Mudeford, Dorset.