A MYSTERY shed caused a stir when it appeared overnight in the middle of a roundabout - and vanished within a week.

The shed, which sat next to a county flag, bewildered people since it was first spotted at Slimbridge roundabout on the morning of Wednesday, September 3.

The roundabout is on the junction between the A38 and the A4135.

The shed had "Banksie's Shed" painted on one side and "Twinned with Scotland" on another. On the door was written "1 of 50 sheds".

Though details about the shed were scarce, one reader told us it was not there when he crossed the roundabout at 1am in the morning.

A mass of tongue-in-cheek theories arose from people in the area.

One theory involving the famous graffiti artist Banksy was dismissed fairly speedily. As well as the name being spelled differently, the shed is somewhat lacking in the cutting political satire so common in his work.

Another suggestion was that the construct served as US President Barrack Obama's lodgings for the duration of the Nato Summit.

Overall the reaction was positive, and our readers continued to share and like the story on Facebook.

Selina Carter said: “I think it’s lovely. The wild flowers and the chairs just look fab. Let us enjoy it for a while longer.”

Another Facebook user Sharon Marie Summer said: “I love it. A bit of harmless fun. They’re spoilsports if they take it away.

The shed, however, was not to last, and Gloucestershire County Council teamed up with Stroud District Council to remove the shed from the roundabout.

At the end of last week area highways manager Jason Humm said: “We’re aware of the shed placed on the A38 roundabout, and whilst we appreciate it’s an interesting piece of artwork, it’s been put there without permission.

"We’re working with Stroud District Council to ensure it’s removed safely and that traffic disruption is kept to minimum.”

Shortly after these comments were made vandals knocked the shed onto its side and removed the flag.

By Monday, September 8, the shed was nowhere to be seen.

Both the county and district council said they had no involvement in the removal, rendering its disappearance as mysterious and thought-provoking as its arrival.

If you have any information about the Slimbridge shed please get in touch with Gazette reporter Stuart Rust on 01453 540217 or via stuart.rust@gazetteseries.co.uk