A SHIP shaped shed has been named one of the nation's best sheds.

The garden galleon was entered into the Shed of the Year competition after its owner, Clare Kapma of Long Lane, Bursledon, rescued it from a derelict pub to provide extra storage space and a playhouse for her nine-year-old daughter.

Modelled on HMS Victory, it is complete with a top deck, rigging, hammocks, captain's quarters, a Union Jack, a Jolly Roger and a mermaid figurehead.

The shed named Queen Emma after the 44-year-old's daughter sailed past 1,975 other entries to be named best normal shed of the year.

Almost 14,000 public voters helped whittle down the search for the nation's best shed for the competition, which is in its seventh year.

The finalists were voted category winner in each of the eight categories - eco shed, garden office, cabin/summerhouse, workshop/studio, unique shed, pub shed, Tardis shed and normal shed.

They will now automatically receive a place in the final, which will be judged by Sarah Beeny, Kevin McCloud, Shed of the Year founder Uncle Wilco and 2012 winner John Plumridge.

The overall winner, who will be announced during Shed Week on July 1, will receive £1,000 courtesy of sponsor Cuprinol.

Kathryn Ledson, marketing manager for Cuprinol, said: ''Sheds are vital to the British identity, which is why Cuprinol is delighted to sponsor Shed of the Year.

''The competition celebrates the very best of British sheds and gets bigger and better every year.

''It's fantastic to see the passion and creativity that goes in to each and every shed entry - it's this that makes Shed of Year sponsored by Cuprinol the unique and inspiring competition it is today.''