BUDLEIGH Salterton has taken stock of 10 new beach huts which have been offered to those at the top of the 500-strong waiting list.

BUDLEIGH Salterton has taken stock of 10 new beach huts which have been offered to those at the top of the 500-strong waiting list.

The district council hope the new huts will ease some of the demand - which is so vast the waiting list has been closed for the last two years.

Budleigh Salterton mayor Councillor Courtney Richards said the town council believed the new huts would block the sea view.

Cllr Richards said the council had asked for any new huts to be positioned behind the Gentlemen's Club, or not at all.

"As usual, East Devon District Council has ignored us," said Councillor Richards.

"This is another nail in the coffin for Budleigh's unspoiled beach.

"Soon people walking from the Longboat to the Lime Kiln will be walking along a tunnel without much chance to see the sea."

The new huts are to go between the Longboat and the Lime Kiln Car park.

EDDC has also made provision for 10 new spaces for privately-owned huts.

The work is currently under way towards the eastern end of the promenade and the huts should be ready for use by April 1.

A district council spokesman said: "The people at the top of the relevant waiting lists have been approached and are keen to take up the huts as soon as they are in place.