A BEACH hut in Dovercourt has made it through to the final five of the Beach Hut of the Year competition.

My Happy Hut is owned by photographer Anna Baria, from Harwich.

The hut was named in the top ten of the Towergate Beach Hut of the Year contest last month, alongside No 303, which is sited in Brightlingsea, and is owned by Janette White, of Mill Road, Colchester, and Millie, which is sited in Walton and owned by Victoria Gunn.

But the Dovercourt hut is the only one in Tendring left in the contest after the judging panel – including TV personality Phil Spencer – whittled it down to the top five.

It looks like a fairy tale cottage with polka dot doors and has an ingenious drawbridge design, which sees the front drop down to create a decked area.

Mr Spencer said: “Deciding on the top ten beach huts was hard enough, but narrowing it down to five was really tough.

“We have had so many great huts entered this year but the judges had to make a decision and we’ve opted for five that are beautifully decorated, have great facilities and serve a real purpose for the local community and families that own them.

“I’m excited to reveal the winner next month and visit the winning beach hut.”

Anna bought the hut on a whim three years ago after downsizing and after falling in love with it immediately, she decided to restore it.

It will now go up against four others from across the country for the title and £1,000 for their beach hut association, plus a year’s free insurance.

Vote for your favourite beach hut at towergateinsurance.co.uk. The winner will be announced on August 19.

Last year, the title of the best beach hut in Britain was taken by Betty, a beach hut on Mersea Island which is owned by Jane Ashmore.