It's that time of year again when the nation celebrates one of the symbols of British eccentricity - the garden shed.

The Cuprinol Shed of the Year competition is back and we speak exclusively to one of the entries in this year's competition.

Mark Collins designed his pub shed by himself but says there are a couple of elements that most people won't initially see that prove it is 'something a bit different'.

He is one of the entries in several categories that are now open, with people still able to enter until the end of May.

The Shed of the Year competition is back and we speak exclusively to one of the entries in this year's competition who built this Lincolnshire shed

The interior of the shed has been designed as a pub and has more than 300 tin signs decorating the walls

While Mark's shed appears at first glance to be a glorious pub decorated with tin signs - more than 300 signs in total - and Sky TV, there is something a little bit different that may initially go unnoticed.

And that is the eco-element of the shed, which is included deep in the walls and on the roof. 

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The shed was completely handmade by Mark apart from the electrics and doors. 

And while the concrete base was already in the garden, he built the shed upwards from there using wooden pallets.

The shed has a living roof with meadow flowers - which appear in summer, and is currently just grass - and the walls are insulated with plastic bottles.

The plastic bottles were put inside the walls and expanded foam was used around them to provide the insulation.

The shed is called 'The Dirty Dog' and has been built entirely by owner Mark Collins (except for the electrics and doors)

Mark lives with his wife in Lincolnshire and started building the garden shed in March 2020.

He already had a chicken shed in the garden, which had a living roof and decided to replicate that build as the basis for the shed.

Mark and his wife used to watch Shed of the Year on television, and explains his delight at now having his own unique garden shed.

'We never used to go the pub a lot but wanted more space away from the house and it has given us a separate area to go in and relax,' he told us in an exclusive interview.

'I have Sky TV connected in there and a stereo speaker so I can listen to my music as I have a couple of thousand CDs.'

In the interior, Mark has used more than 300 tin signs collected from markets, online stores and from places where he has been on holiday.

'Whenever we've gone away, be it to the Lake District or Iceland, I pick up some tin signs that we can add to the shed wall,' he explains.

'I just choose signs that I like, including funny ones, often music and film related. I have one with Popeye on it, which is from Malta.'

As for the name of the shed - The Dirty Dog - is comes from the couple's rescue dog who likes to go into the garden to 'dig and get mucky'.

Mark says the shed has created great memories, including hosting his Dad's birthday a couple of weeks ago. 

The shed party began at 2pm and ended late in the evening.  

Mark likes his tin signs, but his other favourite part of the shed is the wood burner.

'While there is also a separate heater to keep the shed warm, it is also good to have a cozy fire in it,' he says.

Speaking about the chance of winning the Shed of the Year competition, Mark adds: 'The competition looks good, but hopefully I am in with a chance of winning as there are little bits that are different such as the living roof and recycled insulation. 

'It has just been good to part of it though.'

The colourful shed has an exterior porch, with more of Mark's beloved tin signs on the walls

The shed has Sky TV connected and a stereo system, which allows Mark to indulge in his love of films and music

The competition is entering its eighteenth year and includes a new category this year called the Young Sheddie of the Year.

Other categories for this year include most colourful shed, simple but effective, budget, unexpected/unique, cabin or summerhouse, nature's haven, pub or entertainment and finally, workshop or studio.

The winner will be awarded an overnight nature retreat, as well as £1,000 in cash and £250 worth of paint.

Andew Wilcox, head judge and founder of the competition, said: 'Mark's shed is a great example of the evolution of Cuprinol Shed of the Year over the past 18 years.

'It's a modern shed, cleverly insulated with recycled materials and a living roof that helps manage drainage in our unpredictable British climate.

'With the essential kettle for a brew and all the mementoes and posters, it creates a cosy space for Mark to enjoy with his family and friends.

'Each shed is unique and personal to the Sheddie and I love that the competition is all about celebrating this.'

To enter the competition, go to www.readersheds.co.uk. Entries for this year's competition will close at midnight on Friday 31 May 2024.