Beach hut rents have more than doubled overnight on a stretch of Sussex seafront.

The price of leasing one of the huts on Southwick beach has leapt from £200 last year to £450 for the coming year, an increase of 125 per cent.

Council officials say the rise was agreed to help protect core services and keep council tax rises as low as possible.

People who rent the huts say they may have to give them up.

Tracy Robinson, 51, of Gladstone Road, Portslade, fears the spiralling rent will price her and her neighbours out of the market.

She said some of them had enjoyed more than 30 summers at their huts.

Mrs Robinson said: "I was absolutely horrified.

"Lots of people look forward to having time to use the beach huts when they retire but with prices like this, many won't be able to afford it on a pension.

"Instead of paying £50 a month the direct debit is £113. I was horrified. It's a lot of money to squeeze into four months.

"Some of us have asked to pay over ten months, which would be easier, but we have been refused.

"Lots are pensioners and just can't afford to be paying more than double what they are now.

"It's heartbreaking. Some of the people have been near tears over it. One lady remembers seeing the huts being built."

She said hut users usually received a letter from the council in February asking if they planned to renew their licence but this year's arrived only last week.

She said: "We haven't had a chance to budget for it.

"I don't know what I'm going to do. I've got four children and several grandchildren and they all enjoy coming down to the beach hut.

"A lot of older people rely on them because they can't afford to go on holiday abroad.

"Maybe I don't use mine as much as I could but I will certainly be going down there every day if I'm paying this much."

Another hut user said: "It came as such a shock. I've had mine for 28 years and was hoping to start using it more when I retire this year.

"If they had refurbished them I could understand but they haven't done anything."

A spokeswoman for Adur District Council said: "Council tax in Adur has been kept as low as possible but this has meant having to charge more for some discretionary services in order to protect core services in the district.

"We appreciate this is a significant increase but it is in line with market values.

"The cost of a beach hut in Adur is still cheaper than Brighton and Hove or Worthing.

"Letters were sent out on March 18 advising people of the increase. The new licences start on April 1.

"Customers can choose to pay by direct debit over four months or they can pay in full and they have until the end of April to pay the fee.

"The total cost of a beach hut includes VAT and non-domestic rates."

Brighton and Hove has beach huts in Saltdean, Rottingdean, Ovingdean, Madeira Drive and on Hove seafront.

They are owned by the city council and let on renewable tenancy agreements.

The annual rent from this month ranges from £310 to £540 plus VAT.

Hove's wooden huts cost £211.50 (£180 plus VAT) while in Worthing the charge is £229.