They are the candy-coloured huts on Southwold's seafront that can carry an eye-watering price tag.

But holiday makers will be buoyed by the news that brand-new beach huts are now on sale in the town.

Seven wooden chalets, and the lease of their plots, are up for grabs north of the pier, while five huts between South Green and Gun Hill are awaiting planning confirmation.

They are being sold by NPS property consultants on behalf of Waveney District Council, which sought planning permission for 17 new beach huts across North Parade, Ferry Road, and South Green in March.

People are invited to make offers for the huts in line with other prices in the area – with some fetching �20,000 north of the pier and �50,000 south of the pier.

Tony Rudd, valuer for the NPS group, claims they have already had a number of enquiries about the new huts. He said: 'We have had quite a bit of interest already.

'The proposal at the moment will be a hut and lease of a site for 25 years plus.

'The huts will be done to a specification provided by the council and will reflect other huts in the vicinity.

'Southwold is a popular location for traditional seaside holidays, which is why the huts remain so popular.'

The announcement comes just a month after a second-hand beach hut south of the pier went on sale for a staggering �70,000.

The number 82 chalet came equipped with fully-opening half-glazed double doors, shallow-fitted work surface and built-in storage cupboard, as well as offering panoramic beach-side views.

But the seascape can only be enjoyed from Easter until October, when the hut is lifted from the prom and placed in a nearby car park to protect it from the winter elements.

The sky-high prices of Southwold's beach huts – which can cost about �3,000 to build – has prompted national interest in recent years.

Such has been the demand that some have sold for up to �100,000 at Gun Hill, making them more expensive than a small family home in some parts of the country.

During the last financial year, the district council made �95,744 by renting out the land to more than 250 huts in the town.