NOW we can announce our fantastic shortlist for our DIY awards.
During lockdown readers have been getting handy across Sussex and beyond.
So after launching our Lockdown Home Improvement Awards, sponsored by Parker Building Supplies, we had a huge response.
Readers got busy painting in the garden, kitchen and bathroom.
And some even created a whole new workshop for a new, thriving business.
This is our shortlist, a voting form is in the printed newspaper.
The project with the most forms posted to us will be the winner and will appear in The Argus.
Who wins, you decide!

Entry 1: Ken Nice renovated this lovely garden seat
Ken, from Brighton, said: “The seat has been in the family my entire life. I am now 65 and the child on the seat is me, at approximately 2 years old in the 1950s. The seat was badly neglected and dilapidated, as the insert shows and lockdown was an ideal opportunity to renovate it. This would probably never have happened in normal times. I can now fully appreciate and enjoy it with my family and hopefully it can last another 65 years through the generations.”

The Argus:

Entry 2: Charlotte Summers pulled off a living room transformation and made progress with a study makeover.
Charlotte, from Brighton, said: “We purchased our first home two weeks before Lockdown one hit, and our plans to get the tradesman in to transform our old 1950s house disappeared as fast as the multi-finish we were trying to source. We didn’t let it phase us and used the time to put our novice DIY hands to the test with a full ‘make it up as you go’ renovation. We’ve totally transformed 80 per cent of the house now, and are currently finishing our open plan study makeover with a bespoke duo desk and built-in shelving. It’s our first try at woodwork and we’re so pleased with it so far.”

The Argus:

Entry 3: Sharon Witham’s family built a bicycle repair workshop which has provided a space for her son to start a thriving business.
Sharon, from Southwick, said: “We built a bike repair workshop in our garden after my son, who is an electrical engineer and technical author had no work. 
“He decided to push forward with this business. He has since taken on a member of staff full-time. He serviced frontline staff bikes for free in the first lockdown. Jay’s cycles based in Southwick is now a thriving business.”

The Argus:

Entry 4: Nicky Hughes pulled off a  makeover of a tired beige Victorian toilet for less than 150..
Nicky, from Seaford, said: “My Victorian toilet looked tieed and old fashioned and very beige (walls, floor, tiles).  For a very small amount of money, I painted the tiles white, which I was initially dubious about but used a good quality tile paint, and added black accessories and flooring. 
“They cost less than £42, these were floors tiles which are stick on and i was amazed with the finish, overall I am very happy with this makeover at a very small cost.”

The Argus:

Entry 5: Connor Genders’ family from Brighton’s Upper Lewes Road sorted out this new kitchen themselves.

The Argus:

Entry 6: Jim Radford brightened up his fence.
Jim, from Tonbridge, said: “After watching Cobra Kai I was inspired to “paint the fences” in the garden. It might not be particularly involved but I don’t usually get time for any DIY due to work. I took the opportunity to do it myself and was pretty pleased with my handiwork.”

The Argus:

Entry 7: Karen Parker created this self built conservatory.
Karen, from Hailsham, said:”My partner and I built a 4m x 3m Conservatory from our kitchen outwards into our garden. We did this on our own and transformed the patio into a wonderful conservatory during lockdown.”

The Argus: