The 78 wooden huts have no toilets or cooking facilities

The fee for the green and white huts is as little as �165 in spring and summer for three months on Langland, Gower.

Swansea Council wants to raise �700,000 by selling five-to-15-year leases.

The council said testing suggested people would pay an average �3,000 for a five-year lease and �7,000 for 15 years guaranteeing them exclusive use.

The council reported that some said they would be willing to pay more than double those figures.

If approved, it would end the annual lottery currently used to allocate the 78 huts due to high demand.

Five-to-15 year leases may be sold to pay for the rebuilding

The huts cannot be used as homes as there are no toilet or cooking facilities, but are used as a base for day-trips by people who regularly visit the beach.

Although not listed individually, they are protected by a conservation order.

Council cabinet member John Newbury: "The historic beach huts at Langland Bay are iconic features of the landscape.

"This proposal represents a great opportunity to preserve our past while looking to the future because they have been exposed to the elements and targeted by vandals over the years."

If approved by the council's cabinet on Thursday, one new "show" hut will be built for marketing purposes.