Hoards of artefacts telling the story of Sheppey’s past have been given to primary school children to help them learn about their home.

Minster Gatehouse Museum volunteer Mary Thomsett came up with the idea of putting together archeology boxes.

All the finds inside the five chests were being stored at the museum, so Mrs Thomsett decided to make good use of them.

Boxes have been given to Halfway Houses, St George’s; Minster, Eastchurch’s All Saints site and Elliott Park.

Each school received artefacts found near its location, and items include animal bones, pottery, flint and Neolithic axe heads.

Most of the boxes were picked up last week from the museum off Union Road; the rest will be presented during school assemblies.

It is hoped the boxes will help children with things such as history, art, numeracy and literacy.

A grant of £200 from the Rotary Club of Minster-on-Sea helped with the project.

Mrs Thomsett said: “Neolithic and Viking remains have been found, and things from right through the ages.

“The children were so enthusiastic, and I think they will learn a lot from them.

“Everybody thought it was a wonderful idea, and it’s marvellous to realise people were so clever to make the things they did without modern technology.”