MOST people's garden sheds are for nothing more than storing spades, tools and the nasty bottles of wine brought back from holiday in the summer.

Not the place most people would associate with recording UK top 10 albums and numerous chart hits.

But for 58-year-old Chris Winter a garden shed, aka his studio, is his music making haven.

The Rangeworthy man can boast being behind an Eurovision hit, a top 10 album and the music on top TV programmes including the BBC's Fame Academy and The Professionals.

All this, written and produced from the comfort of his converted studio.

"Believe it or not, this is my office. Not bad is it?" he said as he walks into his impressive hideaway.

The shed is kitted out with everything you expect in a recording studio in the heart of London.

And with instruments slotted in every corner of the room it is no surprise Chris is a musical all rounder.

Having been taught the recorder at school, Chris went on to teach himself the saxophone, clarinet, guitar and piano.

Using his talent Chris has written more than 1000 songs and music samples for TV programmes.

The result is most people will have probably heard Chris's music without even knowing it.

After receiving the most public votes in the UK, Chris and Russ Ballard's song No Dream Impossible' was chosen to represent the UK in the 2001 Eurovision Song Contest.

At Copenhagen the song, performed by 15-year-old school-girl Lynsey Dracass, reached 15th out of 23 countries.

Not bad considering UK's recent finishes in the highly political contest.

Chris said: "We couldn't believe it when the song was picked.

"To get chosen for the country and have the chance to go to Copenhagen for the party was great."

The European contest was not the last singing competition Chris would find himself caught up in.

Just two years later Chris was asked to join the team behind the TV hit Fame Academy.

From his studio Chris downsized and mixed pop music that contestants would then try in vain to sing over.

He said: "I would edit the song, send it to London and then watch people sing over it on TV on the Saturday night. It was great to do"

Chris went one step further with Fame Academy when he produced an album for contestant Malachi.

It reached number 17 in the charts.

Chris recently invited 18-year-old sensation Peter Grant to his garden studio to record the current chart topping album, New Vintage.

The Yorkshire teenager's swing album contains covers of songs by legendary songsmiths such as Dusty Springfield and Barry White.

Chris said: "Peter has a great voice for such a young person, so we chose a collection of classic songs to suit him.

"He came here to record them all. The album's success highlights his talent."

Chris has now set his sights on X Factor winner Liona Lewis.

He has written a song and sent it to Simon Cowell's production company in hope it will get picked.

While off the singing front Chris one day wants to write the music for some of TV's many wildlife programmes.

He said: "My song writing is inspired by the countryside and mankind. Living and working in Rangeworthy is perfect for me."

Residents in Rangeworthy should no longer be surprised if they see the latest pop star strolling down the main street in their village.