THIS is the house that Elliotts built – or will have done by the time the gates open on Tuesday.

Visitors to the New Forest and Hampshire County Show will be able to inspect an eco-friendly building that has been put together in only a week.

Work started on Monday, with builders involved in a race against time to complete the uniqueproject ahead of the Daily Echo-backed show.

Elliotts, a family-owned builders’ merchants, with branches across Hampshire, say it is the first time a fully-functional house has been built at New Park, Brockenhurst, in the run-up to the annual extravaganza.

Daily Echo: Workers are involved in a race against time to finish the project.

The single-storey building will be powered by all the latest renewable technology and will even have underfloor heating, plus a landscaped patio.

An Elliotts spokesman said: “It will showcase a wide range of products to help people build – from power tools and kitchens to paving and solar panels. There will also be a whole host of fun, including competitions with prizes of up to £2,000.”

Managing director Tom Elliott added: “We’re creating our biggest stand yet - The House That Elliotts built.”

New Park is also hosting another type of construction project.

The National Park Authority (NPA) will invite visitors to try their hand at the ancient art of building a cob wall made from clay-based soil mixed with water, sand and straw.

An NPA spokesman said: “Cob has been used for hundreds of years and there are still many cob cottages in the New Forest.

“Gloves, weillies and overalls will be provided, so there’s no excuse for not taking part.”

Show officials and an army of volunteers will spend the weekend putting the finishing touches to New Park, ready to welcome the 95,000 spectators expected to pour through the gates during the three-day event spectacular.

Daily Echo:

The theme of this year’s show is Join the Adventure, with visitors able to take part in a wide range of activities.

Those feeling particularly adventurous can scale an 80ft climbing pole or visit the district council stand and have a go at water zorbing.

The show’s traditional livestock section will be bigger than ever, with organisers reporting record entries in the cattle, pig and sheep sections.

Daily Echo: Organisers are reporting record entries in the cattle, pig and sheep sections.

The New Forest Fun Factory will be staging a packed programme of entertainment including choirs, circus workshops and clumsy clowns.

And the ever popular Countryside Area will host a raft of displays ranging from falcons and gun dogs to terriers and ferret racing.