A TRIO of Tendring beach huts are in the running to be crowned best in Britain after reaching the nation's top ten.

Huts from Walton, Brightlingsea and Dovercourt made the finals of the Britain’s Beach Hut of the Year 2016.

Now the race is on to clinch enough votes to claim the top spot, with Location, Location, Location star Phil Spencer among the judges.

Victoria Gunn's holiday hideaway - called Millie - is in the final for the second year running.

She has now transformed it into a unique ice cream parlour making it even more of a local attraction in Walton.

Victoria also donated a month's rental income last year to Macmillian Cancer Support.

No.303 has passed through and been loved by six generations of Janette White’s family.

Her Uncle Jack, a Second World War Royal Navy officer, bought the wood to build his dream hut back in the 1950s. After overcoming devastating floods in 2013, it now stands proudly again, painted a rich blue with a traditional nautical theme.

Anna Baria's gem is called My Happy Hut and looks like a fairytale cottage with its red and white polka dot doors.

Carefully selected objects add to its seaside vibe and the hut has an ingenious drawbridge design which sees the front drops down to create a decked area.

A judging panel, including TV personality Phil Spencer, will use a public vote to draw up a top five shortlist before deciding on the winner.

Phil said: “The winning beach hut doesn’t have to necessarily be the most fancy – if it feels genuine inside and out and reflects the simple pleasures of life then you’re on to a winner.

"The standard of entries is superb and the race for the top spot will be tight”.

Voting ends on July 12 at 3pm and the winner will be announced on August 19.

Phil will present the winners with a £1,000 cheque for their beach hut association, a year’s free insurance and commemorative plaque.

To vote look up Towergate beach hut of the year online.