EAGLE-EYED viewers will catch a glimpse of Thorpe Bay’s traditional beach huts on a new TV series.

Channel Four spent an afternoon filming an episode for the latest series of George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces.

Architect and TV presenter George Clarke and his crewset up buckets and spades to film at Thorpe Bay resident John Dalton’s beach hut off Thorpe Esplanade.

Mr Dalton, 62, of Marcus Avenue, said: “It came through the Southend Beach Hut Owners’ Association and I had a call asking if we could make the hut available for them to doabit of filming.

“I just happened to be available and it was all a bit last-minute.

“They wanted a hut that was traditional and on the beach, rather than on stilts, and I was very happy to oblige.

“It was good. A crew of about six turned up in the afternoon with George Clarke and they headed off into Southend to find some props.

“They came back with buckets and spades and a big inflatable ring and started setting up the hut.”

George and his crew travel the UK to see impressive home design projects that amateurs have taken on. Previous episodes have featured ambitious tree houses, woodland retreats and revamped VW camper vans.

Viewers will see the traditional green and white striped beach hut as George discusses plans for the latest build.

Mr Dalton said: “They set the table up outside and filmed George inside and outside the hut and are speaking to the man in that week’s episode about the plans for his build.

“We think it’s going to be the first episode of the new series and they’re going to construct a beach hut and launch it out to sea.

“It was amazing the amount of equipment they had with them.

“I think it’s the first time anything like this has happened and we’ve had the hut for three years.”

The episode is due to air in October as part of series five of George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces.

Mr Dalton said: “George was very friendly and a nice guy.

“We watched them film for a while, then left them to it.

“It was a fairly nice day for it, but there was a lot of waiting for the sun to come out.

“My parents lived here all their life and we’ve been coming down here for 30 years and should have bought a hut years ago. We use it all the time.”

A member of the production company said: “We visited the beach huts to glean some inspiration for a project George is going to be undertaking across the entire series.”