Artist Luke Hollingworth is campaigning to “put Malmesbury on the map for sheds” after entering his ‘haven’ into a worldwide competition.

The 35-year-old former street artist, who goes by the street art name of Syd, is appealing for votes after applying for the Shed of the Year competition against 2,000 other entrants.

The Abbey House gardener, who used to work for Dyson, initially acquired his shed from his father-in-law before he decided to build an extension on it in 2009 as part of his plans for a workshop for his artwork.

The Stencil Shed, which now features a woodburner, TV, settee and workshop space, sits at the end of his garden in Gastons Road.

“I used to work full-time selling my work until the recession hit and I had to diversify into other things,” he said.

“The shed evolved to become my place of work to venture in to other things.

“There are a lot of people with great sheds but to me it’s about what is created in that shed, whether it’s woodwork, car fixing or – in my case – artwork from recycled materials “The shed for me is a little sanctuary; a haven at the end of my garden where I can go to work.”

Mr Hollingworth admits his wife Mandie, 37, who is expecting their first baby at the end of July, has become somewhat of a “shed widow” since his project began.

“Yesterday I was in there for seven or eight hours what with the football and I’m working on a series of new art works to be released shortly,” he said.

“I’m hoping the work will repay the good folk of Malmesbury for any votes they give for my shed.

“You can buy a brilliant shed but you don’t get that same satisfaction unless you make it your own place. It needs to have evolved over a number of years like a fine wine.”

Mr Hollingworth’s Stencil Shed, which even has it’s own website, will be competing against the likes of The Tardis and Shed Boat, as well as The Shedi Master (also in Malmesbury) and The Shed in Minety for the 2012 award of £1,000.

He is entered for the workshop/studio category of the competition, which closes for entrants on May 20.

Voting begins on May 21 and the winner will be announced during National Shed Week in July.

“It would be incredible to win; I would absolutely love it,” he said.

“If I could just win the category I would be over the moon. It would be a great personal achievement, and a family achievement because it’s evolved with us.”

For more details or to vote, visit www.readersheds.co.uk