Schoolgirls Sarah Clements and Rachel Braude scored an unlikely double when they won a national competition to design a teapot.

For Sarah and Rachel, both aged 14, not only attend Manchester High School for Girls, they are also in the same form group.

The contest, organised by the community-based charity Toc H, attracted hundreds of entries from across the UK, with the MHSG girls finishing first and second in the Caring For Our World category for 15 to 18 year olds.  The judging panel included Henry Sandon and Eric Knowles from BBC Television’s Antiques Roadshow.

Sarah, from Mossley, claimed first place with her design which depicts a world struggling to come to terms with global warming and increased carbon emissions.

Classmate Rachel, from Bramhall, opted for a pair of hands clasped around the globe to advocate unity and friendship. 

Both travelled to the Potclays Factory, in Stoke-on-Trent, to apply their designs prior to the teapots being auctioned for charity.

Sarah said: “It was an improbable but highly pleasing result. The contest was an imaginative way for young people from across the UK to illustrate the issues that really matter to them and I am delighted to have won.”

Rachel added: “We both enjoyed the experience of working with professionals in the ceramic industry to bring our designs to reality, but I never once thought I would be directly competing for honours with one of my friends.” 

Toc H is a community-based charity which strives to eliminate social exclusion and promotes the importance of bringing all sectors of society together, regardless of culture, religion or race.

www.tochparticipation.co.uk