A £485,000 beach hut has sold within 24 hours of going on the market.

The wooden cabin is located on the Mudeford Sandbank in Christchurch, Dorset - home to the most expensive beach huts in the country.

Hut 303 is one of the most valuable to ever come on the open market.

It is thought its enviable position located on the end of a row, having front and rear sea views and being above average in size led to it being snapped up in record time.

It was bought by someone who had been on the lookout for a beach hut in the middle of the 650 yard long sandy spit.

As soon as it was listed on a local estate agent's website they 'jumped' at the chance of buying it and put in an offer without arranging to view it.

The hut can sleep between six to eight people with the sofas in the lounge area being converted into a bed and a mezzanine floor level offering more bed space.

It has solar panels on the roof to provide 12 volts of power which can run an electric fridge, kettle and lights. It has a gas oven powered by calor gas bottles.

It has a water pump to supply cold water for the kitchen sink and there is even a separate area for a chemical toilet.

There is a communal toilet block nearby for shower and washing facilities.

The website for Christchurch estate agents Denisons said: "Hut 303 occupies a beach side location on the end of the terrace and is above average size benefitting from front, rear and side view and comfortably positioned with space to the side.

"On entering the hut, the brightness from the extra windows gives a sense of space."

Beach huts at Mudeford are so sought-after because of its idyllic and isolated setting.

Cars are banned and the only way of getting there is a 20 minute walk, a ride on a novelty land train or a short ferry trip across the mouth of Christchurch Harbour.

It is impossible to secure a mortgage for the huts and so all new owners have to pay in cash.

On top of the sale price the new owner will have to pay £3,652 annual licence fee to the local authority plys £716 council tax.

Over the past 20 years prices for beach huts at Mudeford have shot up from £80,000 to almost £500,000 today.

Andy Denison, of Denisons, said the market for beach huts at Mudeford shows no sign of slowing down.

Mr Denison said: "With the beach huts at Mudeford people are buying a lifestyle as well as an investment.

"There is a vibrant community of hut owners and people go and spend all weekend down there."