AS every child knows you can get some interesting objects into matchboxes.

However, the pupils of Wilmslow High School’s year seven came up with lots of innovative ideas and at the same time raised money for an appeal to restore a glasshouse at Quarry Bank Mill.

The youngsters, who were part of a humanities group, were each sponsored for every item they could fit into a matchbox and came up with some clever ideas to raise as much money as possible.

The boxes contained everything from eyelashes to grains of rice and pieces of glitter.

The effort raised £250 which will go towards part of the restoration of a curvilinear glasshouse in the upper garden at Quarry Bank, which dates back to the 1830s.

Teacher Helen Birchall said: “We thought it was a creative and enjoyable way for the children to raise some money.

“Quarry Bank is on their doorstep and a big part of local history, so it was the perfect appeal for us to support.”

As part of their challenge the schoolchildren were allowed to ask other people to donate items as long as they wrote them down on a list.

One youngster managed to pack more than 50 items into his matchbox, and the total raised by all the pupils will enable the National Trust-run property to buy one pane of glass.

According to Ms Birchall the garden has been tidied up and the glasshouse made safe, but the plan is to restore the structure, made up of thousands of panes of glass, to its former glory.

To thank them for their donation, the team at Quarry Bank invited the pupils to visit the gardens, where they saw a new hydro generator, and also to receive certificates from head gardener Sarah Witts.

Sarah added: “By helping in this way, the children have now taken their place as part of the mill’s history. The school’s name will be on display at Quarry Bank to show how they have helped support the project.”

If you would like to sponsor a glass pane as a donation, go to nationaltrust.org.uk/quarry-bank or call 01625 445875.