Beach hut owners are furious at a Southend Council move to claim a chunk of the profit whenever one is sold.

The council is demanding ten per cent of the sale price of huts at Shoebury Common, whose value has soared in recemnt years.

The council owns the plots and charges rent but the huts themselves are individually owned.

The new claim comes in contracts drawn up by Dedman solicitors on behalf of the council for renewed leases.

The hut owners say they have tried for nearly a year to negotiate with the council over the January 2005 renewal but were refused meetings.

Now they have received letters telling them to sign the new agreement by February 7 or remove their hut by March 1.