The waiting list for beach huts in Folkestone and Hythe is almost seven times longer than the number erected across the district, it has been revealed.

More than 700 people have put their names down in the hope that one of the 126 desirable seafront shacks becomes available.

But they may be waiting for some time, as one tenant says their popularity means people are reluctant to give them up.

The length of the list was revealed during Folkestone and Hythe District Council's full cabinet meeting – at the same time councillors voted to more than double the length of tenants' leases.

A report into the huts attributed the exponential growth in interest to the "success of the redevelopment scheme" that took place in Folkestone in 2020/21.

Cllr John Collier says the council intends to reduce the number of people on the waiting list to just 100 "over a period of time".

"This will be by natural wastage, more than anything else, so we are not just going to start dropping people off the list," he told the cabinet.

Despite the lengthy waiting list, the council voted to extend the lease length of all council-managed huts in Folkestone and Hythe from two years to five, with an optional annual 'break' option.

From this year, rents for small Folkestone beach huts will be £1,000 per year, and £1,333 for large huts. All Hythe beach huts are currently leased until 2024, so rent will currently remain at £875 per year.

Susan Pilcher, who rents a beach hut from New Romney Parish Council on Littlestone beach, says she understands why the waiting list has become so long.

"It took me five years to get one, so [the figure] sounds right, and they don’t turn over very often," she added. "I’m certainly not planning on giving mine up!

"It's a lovely escape and so many people do amazing things to theirs; mine has a gin bar and a drinks trolley, for example."

Among the council's other plans to reduce the waiting list is a proposal to construct 106 council-run huts alongside a water sports centre in Coast Drive car park at Greatstone on the Marsh.

The vision to overhaul the coastline was announced in 2021, with the council revealing it wants to make it a "tourist destination".

Ms Pilcher says she hopes there "won't be too many more" chalets along the coastline.

"I think the idea of having loads along the beaches rather ruins it – I know for ours in Littlestone, it is only for those in the area and you have to provide a council tax statement to prove you're local," she said.

"It's nice to have it exclusive and not to feel crammed in like sardines."