The first tenants of Folkestone's new colourful beach huts have now moved in.

The waiting list for one of the chalets, which line the promenade between Folkestone and Sandgate, is now closed as the council has been inundated with requests to rent one.

Eighty new wooden huts were added to the coastline as part of a regeneration scheme led by the Folkestone Parks and Pleasure Grounds charity, which is made up of members of Folkestone and Hythe District Council’s (FHDC) cabinet.

As well as installing the new chalets, 35 of the original structures were retained and refurbished, and 44 decrepit ones were demolished.

Repairs have also been made to the surrounding coastal park.

Earlier this year it was revealed the new huts would become part of the upcoming fifth Triennial art festival.

Artist Rana Begum is behind the design, and incorporated 118 different paint colours in the pattern.

The council say all previous tenants were given the opportunity to have a beach hut in the same location as the one previously leased to them.

The remaining huts were then allocated - in date order - to those on the waiting list.

Tenant Hannah Carnell opened the doors of her beach hut for the first time with children Romilly, Lucien and Eliot.

She said: "I’m very excited, particularly after the year we’ve just had.

"It will be great to spend more time with the kids and meet people down here - there’s a real sense of community already.

"I love the look, a lot of thought has clearly gone into the design - not only are the beach huts functional they are also attractive.

"The whole project really lifts the seafront and is a great asset for Folkestone."

FHDC says "due to the popular demand", the waiting list for beach huts is now closed and they are not able to consider any further requests at this time.

A FHDC spokesman said: “The new beach huts have brought about a much-needed improvement to the area, and it’s fantastic to see people now setting up their beach huts for the summer months.

"They have a head-turning paint scheme as part of this year’s Folkestone Triennial, which means that tenants not only have their own space but are a part of art history too."

Following the success of the project, the council is now looking at other sites across the district to potentially increase its beach hut and tourism offering.

This includes at the Coast Drive car park in Littlestone, on Romney Marsh.

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