West Somerset District Council has earned almost half a million pounds in extra council tax revenue this year by reducing the second home discount, but still felt the need to slap beach hut owners for an extra £40,000 despite the fact the owners are only allowed to use them for 10 months of the year.

The owners of huts on Dunster Beach near Minehead have lost their battle for a council tax discount on the properties as the council reduced the discount from 50% to 10%.

The owners of the chalets have repeatedly asked the council for a 40% discount, which it has discretion to grant, arguing the buildings shouldn't be regarded as second homes because they're not permanent dwellings. But now the chalet owners have been told they'll have to pay the same as other second homeowners.

The government allowed councils to alter the second home tax ruling hoping it would release properties for first time buyers or help homeless families but the beach hut owners say the properties are really only suitable for summer habitation.

Chairman and treasurer of Dunster Beach Holidays Ltd, Brian Cox said that the owners were considering taking their case to the law courts.

Local MP Ian Liddell-Grainger argued that West Somerset was desperately poor, commenting: "This money will make an enormous difference to West Somerset.”

"My constituents would argue that if they can afford a second home they can afford the extra tax."