OUTRAGED beach hut owners at Calshot believe they are being priced out of the market after site rents soared by more than 40 per cent.

They are furious that New Forest District Council has imposed the inflation-busting bills, which some say they cannot afford to pay.

For the first time civic chiefs have decided to calculate rents for the beach huts near Fawley on a size basis rather than a flat rate.

Avril Bryant, 63, of Hemming Close, Totton, said: "There is no reason for this other than pure greed.

"Having owned a beach hut for 25 years the annual rents have increased substantially over this period, but none as staggering as this year's."

Mrs Bryant and her husband Bob, 71, have to pay out 41 per cent extra this year - a bill of £434.75 compared with £307.85 last year.

Beach hut owners also have to pay business rates of £105.83, even though they are forbidden from trading from the properties, and an annual parking charge of £38.

They also have to pay hundreds of pounds in fees to the council if they want to sell their hut.

Mr Bryant said: "There is a mixed lot of people here. On average they are mostly pensioners. This is their main enjoyment in the summer and they are going to be driven out. They are trying to turn this into a rich man's place."

Pensioner Pamela Macintyre, of Testwood Lane, Totton, has owned her beach hut for the past 45 years but fears that she may be forced to sell it next year because of the spiralling costs.

"I love coming to Calshot and everything about it," she said. "I think I would definitely be one of the longest owners here."

Her husband Lachlan, 79, added: "We are not very happy about the increased charges. We are both senior citizens on fixed incomes and if they can do this, what can they do next year? We are seriously considering having to sell next year."

Many beach hut owners at Calshot are particularly angry that the slabs of concrete outside their properties are now being classed as "verandas" and included in the size of their plot.

Sharon Plumridge, head of support services at New Forest District Council, said: "Previously there was a flat rate charge no matter what size the beach hut and any patio or veranda area was taking up.

"It has been quite apparent recently that the patio areas have been increasing in size which owners have exclusive rights over and therefore we decided to change the charging mechanism.

"We are certainly not trying to price people out of the market but on the other hand the council has to generate income from some of its discretionary services so it does not affect any of its compulsory services."