Well they do say an Englishman's home is his castle... or make that a beach hut for one plucky grandad

We've all dreamt of having our very own bolt-hole by the sea, but how far would you go to spend more family time by the coast?

Grandfather Keith Duell, 68, fell in love with the area of Avon beach, near Christchurch in Dorset, so much so that he braved the elements for six days in a one-man tent to secure the long-term lease on a treasured beach hut.

The hardy pensioner never left his place at the front of the queue and endured the windswept seafront sat in his deckchair wrapped in four layers of clothing and numerous blankets.

Luckily for Keith, his understanding family and wife Christine were on hand to deliver daily supplies of homemade hot soup and pizza and he passed the time of day reading books and chatting to passers-by.

'All the time I was there by myself it was very quiet - but it livened up a bit on the last night when other people started to join the queue!' says Keith.

Keith is not the only one to get swept away with his desire for a slice of seaside life.

If you think this is extreme, how about the high prices paid for beach huts at Holkham, Norfolk - a snip at just £70,000!

And Rolling Stones rocker Keith Richards reportedly paid £60K for his beach hut in Dorset's upmarket bolt-hole West Wittering, a few years back. Hmm, I wonder what that's worth now?

For more information on Avon Beach and Dorset go to visitchristchurch.com.

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