The humble garden shed - a useful place to store the lawn mower, barbecue and gardening tools but also regarded as the last refuge of beleaguered husbands and fathers.

Men are renowned for retreating to their sheds to potter about and escape the hectic events of family life.

It is therefore poignant that a campaign to encourage people to reflect on the role of fathers has picked a shed as a point of inspiration.

The wooden structure has toured the country to promote a pro-dad agenda.

The penultimate pit-stop on its tour was Brighton seafront next to the Palace Pier on Saturday.

The tour has been organised by the Government's Department for Children, Schools and Families to promote its Think Fathers! campaign.

On Saturday, people had a chance to visit the shed, which was decked out with wellies, bikes and gardening tools for an authentic atmosphere, to talk about fatherhood.

As part of the tour, a camera crew will film the people who visit the shed to record their views on fatherhood and how the role has changed over the years.

This footage will then be compiled on the campaign's website for others to see and be used to help inform and promote dad-friendly approaches in schools, social work and other areas.

One dad who paid a visit was Alan Looker from Westham, Eastbourne.

He was on a day out in Brighton with his wife Kaye and their 12-year-old son Ryan.

Mr Looker said his own shed was full of tools and not somewhere he would consider retreating to as he never felt the need to escape family life.

He said: “I don't understand those dads who run away to their sheds or down the pub, they are obviously not as involved in their families as they should be.

“I've never felt the need to get away, I love my son and enjoy spending time with him.”

Mr Looker said dads should spend as much time as they could with their children but warned that being a father was a big responsibility.

He said: “Like most things in life, you get out what you put in.

“But when you have kids your life suddenly changes.

“You can't just go off somewhere, you have to be responsible for your child and put them first.

“But that's great, I take Ryan to football and karate, we spend a lot of time together and talk about things that are going on in our lives.”

Mr Looker said he thought the campaign was a good idea.

He said: “I think there needs to be more support for dads because there isn't enough now and I certainly never had any from agencies when Ryan was growing up.”

To take part in the debate, visit www.think-fathers.org.