SECURITY guards have been recruited to protect beach huts along the New Forest coastline, a month after a suspicious blaze wrecked seven huts at Calshot.

With immediate effect, specialist firm Securitas will be starting random patrols along the seafront at Milford, Hordle and Barton on Sea as well as at Calshot.

But the timely measure launched by New Forest District Council is not purely a response to the October fires which caused ten of thousands of pounds worth of damage and triggered an arson investigation by Hampshire Fire and Rescue.

"This move was in the pipeline already, after we carried out research which showed that 75 per cent of beach hut owners in the district were worried about vandalism to their property," said NFDC spokesman Dave Atwill.

"The guards will patrol designated areas during the week and at weekends. As an added deterrent, signs alerting potential vandals to the fact that security men could be in the vicinity are to be erected at all sites.

"The guards can link directly to the police so additional support can be called in immediately if needed."

Cllr Barry Rickman, district portfolio-holder for leisure, said: "We are keen to do as much as we can to help solve what is clearly a major concern for beach hut owners in the Forest.

"We hope this measure will reduce the risk of vandalism to these vulnerable properties and bring greater peace of mind to their owners."

More than 500 people responded to the NFDC beach hut survey. The council plans to issue a new twice-yearly magazine next month, to keep hut owners abreast of the latest developments and security measures.