A TREE house big enough for 10 guests and a distillery built in a hen house are among the weird and wonderful designs battling for glory in Shed of the Year, it was announced Sunday.

    More than 2,500 amateur “sheddies” from across Britain have entered their creations into this year’s competition — with designs ranging from summerhouses to eco lodges.

    The entries include a distillery, owned by Walter Micklethwait, from Aviemore, Scotland, which was created in a dilapidated hen house.

    Made out of mainly recycled items, it has now become a farm shop, a Wild West-themed gin joint and a velour upholstered piano bar, which hosts regular parties.

    However, the shed will have stiff competition from Terry Meredith, from Dursley, Gloucestershire, who has built his shed 4.5 meters in the air, supported by four oak trees.

    The tree house seats 10 people, houses two beds and even has a barbecue in the center for special occasions.

    Each shed will be judged by Channel 4 presenter George Clarke, Shed of the Year founder Uncle Wilco, last year’s winner Joel Bird, craftsman William Hardie, architect Laura Clark and industrial designer Max McMurdo.

    The categories are eco shed, pub shed, budget, Cabin/Summerhouse, unique, workshop/studio, historical and normal sheds. There have been a record number of entrants to the competition, which has been running for nine years.

    Ben Filmore, from Amersham in Buckinghamshire, is hoping that his “Shedservatory” will be popular among the judges.

    By night, the Shedservatory is an observatory in which the roof rolls off and opens up to reveal the sky, but by day it’s used as a garden office decorated with colorful rugs.

    The overall winner of the event, sponsored by Cuprinol, will be announced later in the year, with the victorious designer winning £1,000 (US$1,572) for their efforts.(SD-Agencies)