AN UNUSUAL outhouse built by a Northwich historian is on the right track to be voted Shed of the Year.

Colin Edmondson's railway-themed retreat has seen off competition from more than 2,500 entries to become one of the 32 finalists in the running for the coveted national title.

His 'micro shed', which is mobile and built on a miniature railway wagon, measures just 4ft by 2ft and is 4ft tall but still has enough room for essentials.

Colin said: "The unique point of mine is that rather than a shed with a railway in it, I have turned it round and put a shed on a railway instead.

"It has all the comforts required, a comfy seat, upholstered by my girlfriend Carole, a stove for cooking bacon butties (my own design), a model railway and a shelf for the whisky glass."

The shed is up against three others in the 'Unique Shed' category and Colin is appealing for Guardian readers to vote for him.

The public has until May 29 to vote for the best shed in each category and the winners will be announced on Channel Four's 'Amazing Spaces Shed of the Year' this summer.

A panel of shed experts will then decide on the overall winner of the Shed of the Year competition, sponsored by Cuprinol.

Colin has run the shed on miniature railways in Cheshire.

He said: "When you see a queue of people bringing children to see it, full of smiles, it's magic."

Unusually, the shed only came about because Colin wanted to build a stove and needed somewhere to keep it.

"The initial inspiration came from a guard's van fitted with a stove brought by Stuart Hughes to the Minimal Railways Group meet at High Legh in Cheshire in mid 2014," he said.

"I decided that I wanted to build a stove of my own, and the idea of a guard's van to house it soon entered my head."

He added: "I am overwhelmed by the response to my little shed, still can't believe a shed built to make folk smile has made it to the final."

To vote for Colin's 'micro shed' click here and click on the 'Unique Sheds' category in 'View Sheds'.

The winner will receive £1,000 courtesy of sponsors Cuprinol along with a wooden plaque, £100 worth of Cuprinol products and a giant crown for the shed.