At a cabinet meeting, externalaldermen voted not to pursue those options, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported.

However, while the beach huts will not be sold, 33 of those currently offered as weekly rentals will be converted to five-year leases.

The council said this is to meet huge demand for long-term tenancies – with more than 900 people on waiting lists.

Liz Withington, cabinet member for leisure, said: “I really welcome this and the people of Sheringham, who have been on the list for 14 years, will do just as well.”

There have also been calls for local residents to be given the first chance to be offered additional long-term tenancies.

However, it was rejected by Lib Dem council leader Tim Adams, who said: “Opening up these extra units gives everyone (on the list) a bit more leverage to secure one of these tenancies.”

People can also expect to pay more in the future to rent beach huts.

Shires said officers would consider raising the rates, which were proposed to rise by about 14 percent.

The cost of renting a beach hut on a five-year lease starts from £913.74 per year over the council district, external.