Beach hut owners embroiled in a rent row with council officials have been told to pay up or get out.

They are furious that work to improve coastal defences means they have been denied full access to their huts during the scorching weather.

But rather than bow to demands for compensation, landlord Brighton and Hove City Council - which has been accused by one of its members of hypocrisy - says they have to pay their £230 annual rent in full or give up their pitches as there are plenty of others who will take their place.

The multi-million pound sea defence programme to upgrade Undercliff Walk between Brighton Marina and Rottingdean has turned the beach into a building site and blocked off access.

Former RAF pilot Frederick Davis, 81, who also worked as a security officer at the Brighton Centre, is fighting his former employers for compensation.

He and his wife Mary have not been able to enjoy days on the beach and use their hut during the record temperatures.

They are among a dozen owners with huts on the Undercliff Walk, to the west of the main Rottingdean beach, who feel they should not be paying for a service they cannot use.

Despite protests from them and Rottingdean councillor Lynda Hyde, the city council insists the rent should be paid.

A spokeswoman said: "The huts have weekend access but are affected by the works to the Undercliff Walk. These are essential to coastal protection and will benefit the beach hut owners as well as other visitors.

"The cost of a beach hut in Rottingdean is £230 a year, which works out at £5 a week. This compares with £500 in Hove and £1,957 in Eastbourne.

"However, if any tenant feels the fee in Rottingdean no longer represents good value they may relinquish their tenancy with immediate effect.

"There is a five-year waiting list for beach huts and the council is confident that they could be re-let, even with the current restrictions."

Mr Davis said the row centred on a matter of principle and they should get a refund.

Work is to continue until the end of the year.

He said: "This is a breach of contract. We should not be forced to pay for something we cannot use."

Councillor Hyde said: This is a disgrace. If a city landlord prevented a tenant having access to a property and continued to demand rent, Brighton and Hove City Council would be the first to take action, yet they refuse to play fair when the boot is on the other foot."