Amy, 23, has right royal theme for Shed of the Year entry (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Amy, of Aiskew, near Bedale, has royal theme for Shed of the Year entry

6:00pm Friday 1st March 2013 in News By Janet Gleeson

Queen of sheds Amy Williams is in the running to bag a right royal prize as one of the main contenders in this year's prestigious Shed of the Year competition.

At the tender age of 23 Amy is, you would think, decades younger than devotees of the garden shed.

However, research by Cuprinol reveals many under 25’s are now dedicated shed owners - with more than 16m sheds in Britain.

Amy, of Aiskew, near Bedale, North Yorkshire, got hers for her 15th birthday to grow vegetables.

But it’s grown from its humble roots and she has branched out to convert it into a shrine to vintage furniture and the Royal Family.

“I think it really took off when I had a wartime themed party and my gran brought a china tea set with the Queen on, my dad put in a fireplace and there’s chairs and a China cabinet.

"It’s a real Royal retreat. I’ve spent a lot of time in there over the years, I did a lot of revision in there, it’s my place.

"Last year with the Jubilee we had a fabulous time with garden parties, this is the ideal place. I would love to extend it and have red, white and blue flowers in the garden, as a real royal tribute.”

So could Amy’s garden room become Shedingham Palace? She’s one of 2,000 entrants to have entered  the 2013 Shed of the Year Competition.

“I think it would be great if I won, it is something a bit different and eccentric and not everyone can say they have achieved,” she said.

“My gran would absolutely love it, she tells all her friends about my shed – I think she likes that it is something unusual for someone my age to enjoy.”

It is estimated the average owner spends five months of their life in their shed, with a further 40 per cent admitting to using it as an extension of their home.

Celebrity sheddie Vic Reeves, who was brought up in Darlington, said: "I have long been a lover of the trusty garden shed and have five in my garden which I often take some time out to escape to for an hour or two."

Judging for Shed of the Year takes place on May 3. For more details visit www.readersheds.co.uk