A shed built almost entirely from reclaimed materials on a Hitchin allotment has won a national award.

Jack Grove's "Rhubarb House", situated beside the River Purwell, has been crowned the UK's Budget Shed of the Year in the 20th annual Tiger Shed of the Year competition.

The garden building impressed judges with its inventive use of recycled materials and the important role it plays in family life.

Jack spent a year constructing the shed for less than £400, using timber, windows and other materials rescued from skips around Hitchin.

Only a handful of essentials, including roofing materials, chipboard and screws, were bought new.

Rhubarb House has since become much more than a workshop. Sitting alongside the family's allotment, it serves as an outdoor kitchen where meals are prepared on a vintage Tilley stove.

Jack's two children also use the shed for imaginative play, transforming it into everything from a school and hospital to a restaurant.

The shed takes its name from the large patch of rhubarb that originally surrounded it.

Jack said: "Winning Budget Shed of the Year is a real honour.

"Rhubarb House has become such an important part of our family's life, so it's wonderful to see this structure, built almost entirely from reclaimed materials, receive national recognition.

"Every salvaged window, piece of timber and late evening spent building it has been worth it."

The annual Shed of the Year competition celebrates creative and inspiring garden buildings from across the UK, attracting hundreds of entries and thousands of public votes.

Andrew Wilcox, founder and head judge of Shed of the Year, said: "For 20 years, Shed of the Year has celebrated the creativity, passion and ingenuity of shed owners across the UK, and this year's competition has been no exception.

"Every entry had its own story to tell, from peaceful garden retreats and workshops to incredible upcycled creations."

Sam Jenkinson, head of marketing and "Chief Sheddie" at Tiger, said Rhubarb House demonstrated that an impressive garden space did not need to come with a large price tag.

He added: "It's brilliant to see the Budget category won by Rhubarb House, a shed built almost entirely from reclaimed materials."