LONG gone are the days when a shed was just a graveyard for broken lawn mowers and defunct power tools.

A growing number of people are making a feature out of their garden bolt holes, with even a website – www.readersheds.co.uk – dedicated to them.

As last year’s winner of Readers’ Sheds shed of the year, Reg Miller has made his hideaway into his passion.

Hooked on everything with a pirate theme, Reg has put pieces of memorabilia he has collected and created a pirate’s den in his back garden in Bournemouth Park Road, Southend.

“I had collected loads of pirate mementos like swords and muskets over the years,” said Reg, 66.

“They all used to be in my old house in Hockley, but when we moved to Southend we decided to put them all in one place and create a pirate’s den.”

The decision has meant Reg’s love of sea scoundrels is strictly left in the den.

“Now inside the house is it is quite plain,” says Reg. “I suppose really I got relegated from the house the back garden! I don’t mind though. My wife and I both really enjoy the den and use it like a summerhouse.”

Reg’s love of pirates started in his youth.

“I always loved pirates as a kid,” he says. “Once I saw the TV show Swashbuckler, which starred Robert Shaw, that was it. I have been collecting ever since.”

As an avid follower of Reader’s Sheds, Reg has met may fellow enthusiasts.

He says: “All types of people get into it and they enjoy meeting each other. It is very tongue-in-cheek and no one takes it too seriously.”

So what does Reg think it is that makes people want to invest so much into their sheds?

“I think people do this sort of thing because it is an expression of their personality. It also is for the enjoyment of others – my wife and grandchildren love it.”

Reg thinks people who love their gardens should love their sheds.

“I love the whole garden and the shed is an extension of that,” he says. “I think they should have something similar at the Chelsea Flower Show because sheds are an important part of any garden.”

Having won the competition last year Reg got a £1,000 prize and also starred in an advert for Cuprinol, which deals in wood treatment products.

This year Reg will be acting as one of the judges to choose the 2011 winner, alongside Channel 4 presenter Sarah Beeny.

“I have got to do so much thanks to my shed,” says Reg. “I was on TV and now people have contacted me from all over the world.

“This year’s winner will be in for a real shock – I wish it was me all over again.”