Beach hut owner's joy at winning national award

Jayn Willis purchased the beach hut in Walton-on-the-Naze in memory of her daughter

A woman who lets cancer patients use her beach hut free-of-charge said "never in a million years" did she expect national recognition for it.

Jayn Willis renovated the seaside cabin in Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex, a year after her daughter Gemma died from cervical cancer in 2021.

The building's impressive transformation caught the eye of the Love Your Hut website, whose judges crowned it their hut of the year.

Awards organiser Alexandra Sandberg said all involved were deeply moved by Ms Willis's story.

She said: "The loving story - the sad story - moved us all really deeply and it was a landslide of a win."

The hut is found on Southcliff Promenade

Ms Willis was praised by judges for her "intricate detail"

The hut, on Southcliff Promenade, was described as a "beautiful sanctuary" made in Gemma's name, who was 30 years old when she died.

Ms Willis said it was inspired by her daughter's favourite places in the US - Palm Beach, Florida, and Beverly Hills in Los Angeles.

She offers it up to people undergoing cancer treatment who are in need of a break - as first reported by the Clacton and Frinton Gazette.

Referencing the award, Ms Willis said: "I never in a million years expected anything like this to happen.

"We purchased the hut in Gemma's memory and because we wanted to gift it out to other cancer patients… Just for them to get away from everyday life."

The beach hut was painted with green and white stripes, as well as flamingos and lots of pink.

The hut offers views over the North Sea in Essex

Ms Willis was praised by judges for her "intricate detail" and design inside.

"We're delighted that it has helped many people suffering from cancer," she added.

"For us as a family it has been the perfect spot to indulge in the memories of our amazing daughter."

Judges said the hut was a "beautiful sanctuary" in Gemma's memory