THEIR 800-year-old cottage was bursting at the seams when the Lobb family decided to do something completely different.

Instead of trying to replicate the medieval and 18th century parts of their tiny home near Gillingham they built a huge glass extension - more than doubling their living space in only 24 hours.

The building was filmed for the programme Built in a Day which will be shown on UK Style TV in October.

Jules Lobb who has given up designing wallpapers for Laura Ashley and BHS to bring up her three children rustled up the plans after consulting with conservation

bodies.

The advice was not to try and mock up an old look which would always look fake but to go for something modern and in complete contrast.

There are no worries about lack of privacy because their acre plot is not overlooked.

Getting it through planning was a breeze.

"They approved the idea because it was a way of saving the building," she said.

"Steam from the bathroom and kitchen was warping all the joists.

"And the weight from the bathroom was making the building sink."

Jules is a bit coy about the cost - only confirming it was a five figure number.

But what is certain is that Lottie, 11, Hamish, five, baby Fred and communications expert husband John now have a lot more room to spread out and enjoy themselves.