And Shed of the Year 2009 goes to...

The third National Shed Week is in full swing. Once again, thousand of votes from around the world were cast online by the public as shedowners fought for the coveted title of Shed of the Year.

This year's winner is The Kite Cabin, owned and built by 41-year-old cabinet maker Steven Harwood from Llandysul, Wales.

"I feel I have a very special shed in a very special place," he said. "The location is unbeatable with amazing panoramic views. It is surrounded by nature including kites, badgers and various birds. It is such a useable space and not pre-ordered like so many sheds these days."

Steven's shed cost only £1,500 to construct and features a composting toilet, bunk beds, and woodburning stove. He intends to build on his success by erecting a treehouse for his son close to the cabin, connecting them with a ladder.

While the public vote decides the winners in each category - which includes special sections for garden offices, TARDISes and eco-sheds - the overall winner is decided by a panel of judges including television presenter and property developer Sarah Beeny, Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans, inventor Trevor Bayliss, Alex Johnson from shedworking.co.uk and the chief organiser of National Shed Week Uncle Wilco from readersheds.co.uk

“This is the third year we have run the competition," said Wilco, "and each time I am astounded by the quality of the sheds that our sheddies create. They put everything into it. From off-the-shelf sheds that they have decorated and turned into their own escapes, to hand-built workshops, the range of talents of the British public is unbelievable.”

Last year's winner was a pub shed and the 2007 trophy was carried off by Tony Rogers' Roman Temple shed.

Steven's prizes include a year’s supply of cheese from the Cheeseshed.com, a £50 voucher from Wyevale Garden Centres, a unique shed cushion and a wind-up Trevor Bayliss radio.

More details and a full list of winners are at www.shedblog.co.uk where the winner of the International Shed of the Year will be announced tomorrow.