ONE night, whilst watching George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces on Channel Four, local couple Jenny Curtis and Nick Coleman thought they would try their chances and apply for the show, never in their wildest dreams thinking they might be chosen to star in it.

Tonight (Thursday), Jenny and Nick’s transformation of a Victorian dog kennel into a lavish bedroom will appear on the hit programme which shows viewers how to turn small spaces into big dreams.

Renowned British architect, lecturer and writer turned TV presenter George Clarke, has earned many fans through the programme which has shown the most awkward, rundown and tiniest of spaces turned into wonderful creations including a luxury bachelor pad created from a fire damaged narrowboat, a mini ‘cob house’ castle created in the garden of a suburban semi and and rusty old coach turned into a beautiful mobile home.

In what is their very first TV appearance, Jenny and Nick will wow audiences with their amazing space!

Jenny said: ‘The idea of turning the space into a bedroom came when my house was full at Christmas, as most houses are.

‘We had mattresses and beds everywhere and my mum joked that she would sleep in the dog kennel which was impossible in the state it was in.

‘But, with some hard work and leaving as much of the original character, we managed to turn it into a bedroom. But, I never thought we could be part of a TV programme! Things like that never happen to us!

‘One night whilst watching Amazing Spaces we both looked at each other and said, “shall we apply?’”

The couple live in a gamekeeper’s cottage, once part of the Witherdon Manor estate on the outside of Germansweek.

‘We are lucky as we own an historic part of the house — we had the original Victorian dog kennel,’ said Jenny.

‘We didn’t know what to do with it. It was such a waste of space which was full of woodworm and covered in ivy. We put a few bits in there for storage and then the chickens and ducks were kept in there but we still felt it was still such a waste of space. So we decided to change it.

‘We were so chuffed and couldn’t believe it when we got a phone call saying we were on the shortlist for the show. We were chosen from more than a thousand people who applied for the series.

‘Being on the show was an amazing experience and we worked so hard. Our budget was £500 but we did it for just over £100.

‘We wanted to show people what can be done in a small space and inspire others, it is amazing what you can do when you recycle and reuse materials.’

The couple who plan on getting married next year, said they moved from Sidmouth to the outskirts of Okehampton over two years ago as they were in search for a rural and quieter life.

Nick, who is is a full time fireman in Exeter but used to be a carpenter, said they loved the lifestyle which is more enjoyable and laid back.

Jenny, who has worked as a carer, cleaner and teaching assistant, said that visiting Hatherleigh Market on Tuesdays was one of the perks of living in their new home.

Having fully admitted they have caught the renovation bug, the couple are transforming some shepherd huts at the bottom of the garden into holiday accommodation and are converting a 1989 horse lorry into a unique and traditional wood clad exterior lorry.

‘The lorry will be for guests to rent alongside our shepherds hut and dog kennel but also for us to use on our holidays with the dogs and for when we plan to travel around England and Ireland for four months of next year,’ said Jenny.

Also expect to see the couple at the local agricultural shows in the lorry selling their locally-sourced willow products.

‘The future plan is to do willow classes so that others can feel the achievement of making something and keep a traditional skill going which is dying out,’ said Jenny.

‘It is important to adapt, learn new skills and look at our surroundings. Our main aim of life is to enjoy every day.’