A 1970s-inspired cocktail bar has fought off stiff competition from a bra-fitting boutique and a fairytale castle to be crowned shed of the year.

Influencer Danielle Zarb-Cousin from Southend, beat more than 300 entries to take the top prize in the Cuprinol Shed of the Year 2021.

The 29-year-old transformed a rundown old brown shed into a retro bar complete with seating and orange interior.

Echo: Danielle Zarb-Cousin created the 1970's inspired bar during lockdownDanielle Zarb-Cousin created the 1970's inspired bar during lockdown

Danielle made the renovation during lockdown after splitting with her fiance, former Love Island star Jonny Mitchell, last year.

She said: “I went through a bad time with the break-up, building the shed became a focus in a time of chaos.

“Moving back in with my parents for lockdown was not ideal and I needed my own space, so (once built) it was a place I could go and write and not be disturbed.”

Danielle will be awarded £1,000, a plaque and £100 of Cuprinol products for her victory.

This years competition included seven categories and more entries than ever before with 331.

Other entries include a bra-fitting boutique by Joanna van Blommenstein in Kent and a fairytale-inspired castle in Derbyshire by Mark Campbell.