Have you ever considered owning your own pub? Well, this Ottery footballer has gone a step better - by building one in his own back garden!

Sidmouth Herald: Ben Rushton in his garden pub . Ref mhc 14 18TI 0953. Picture: Terry IfeBen Rushton in his garden pub . Ref mhc 14 18TI 0953. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Ben Rushton, who lives in Cranbrook, now enjoys kicking back with his mates in his ‘man cave’, which he has called the ‘Marmotte and Shark Garden Pub’.

It only took Ben, who plays for Ottery FC, three months to build the miniature tavern, which is kitted out with pub paraphernalia, including a signed Exeter FC football top.

The 28-year-old, who shares the pub with his partner Hannah and spaniel Scooby, said: “I saw the shed when we were first looking at houses, and thought it would be wicked to make a pub out of it. You do not often get the opportunity.

“I told Hannah ‘If we are buying this house, I am having the shed’ and that was that.”

Sidmouth Herald: Ben Rushton in his garden pub . Ref mhc 14 18TI 0957. Picture: Terry IfeBen Rushton in his garden pub . Ref mhc 14 18TI 0957. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Aston Villa fan Ben tasked the help of his dad, who is a carpenter, and officially opened the tavern in November last year.

He said: “It did not cost a lot build - a lot of the furnishings were bought from Gumtree and Facebook sellers.”

He added: “My dad gave me all the wood as a moving-in present, and that is what would have been the most expensive.”

Ben revealed his expansion plans for the pub, which will see decking laid down outside of it to create a ‘beer garden’.

Sidmouth Herald: Ben Rushton in his garden pub . Ref mhc 14 18TI 0959. Picture: Terry IfeBen Rushton in his garden pub . Ref mhc 14 18TI 0959. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

The build wasn’t all plain sailing though.

Ben said: “The shed isn’t exactly square, so when I installed a new fridge it got stuck. I had to chisel some of the framework away so it would fit!

“The ceiling was also a nightmare, as the wood for it came in big sheets which are the width of the whole shed.

“We got there in the end.”

Sidmouth Herald: Ben Rushton pulling a pint in his garden pub . Ref mhc 14 18TI 0955. Picture: Terry IfeBen Rushton pulling a pint in his garden pub . Ref mhc 14 18TI 0955. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

And where did the unusual name come from?

Ben said: “I was a ski resort manager in Alpe d’Huez in France and the resort’s mascot is a marmot.

“While I was there, I also frequented a bar called Sharkeys, so I thought I would put the two names together.”