Sheppey’s new beach huts will soon be painted in a rainbow of traditional colours.

The 10 structures along Minster Leas were officially launched on Friday after the new owners were given the keys two days before.

They were put up after the Minster Beach Hut Association (MBHA) was formed to lead the project on behalf of Swale council.

Members have invested £3,000 each into their own huts and the council will be building another four within the next few weeks to add to the three it already has.

These seven will be available to be leased out for the duration of a two-year pilot, which is how the council is running it so it can collate feedback to decide the best way forward.

It is hoped it will eventually be rolled out to others.

Mark Whitton, from the MBHA, said the launch was great and the timing couldn’t have been better with the glorious weather.

The group has now decided on a selection of traditional colours including green, blue and yellow.

Once the council has agreed these, the owners will be able to paint their own huts within the next few weeks and they will also be working on improving the grass around the site.

Mr Whitton said: “We have had a good reaction. There’s a lot of people interested and walking along asking about them and a lot of people from off the Island too.

“It’s all been very positive.”

Meanwhile, The Beach pub nearby in Seaside Avenue has reopened with a beach-hut theme.

Islanders Duane and Caroline Ashworth have taken it on and revamped it and will be running it as a family-friendly venue.

It is hoped its restaurant will open by the end of next month and they plan to launch B&B rooms in September.