A boy from Billington is hoping to trade up a paperclip until he gets a gaming console that is worth around £250.

Seven-year-old Sam Lynas is hoping to swap a paperclip for more valuable items until he can eventually get a Nintendo Switch.

The console will then be donated St James’ Church in Clitheroe to help with their youth work.

Dad, Tim Lynas, said the experience will teach Sam some valuable lessons about the value of objects and the importance of working together.

He said: “I encouraged him to do this after we watched a YouTube video where somebody traded up a paper clip to a house. We wondered if we could do something similar.

“It will give him some entrepreneurial experience and also teach him about the value of objects, community and also the value of goodwill.

“It will also show him that if he puts some hard work in he can make these things happen and increase the value of items he already owns.

“I think it’s a nice little project for him to take on in the run up to summer.”

Sam, who is a pupil at St Leonard’s C of E School in Langho, has only made one official trade so far, swapping his paper clip for a pen.

Tim said: “He’s really excited now he has already made a few trades.

“On Sunday (April 23) he traded up to a pen, which is worth around 14p. Now he has agreed, in principle, to a tin of beans.

“I think it will get harder, though, as the value of these items increase.

“I think he is keen and optimistic that he can do it. His 10-year-old brother, Ben, doesn’t think he can do it.

“His mum thinks we are all weird for trying it.”

Tim said the decision to donate the Nintendo Switch was a no-brainer for the generous child.

He said: “He’s very generous and caring, always looking out for other people. I am sure he will get to play it if he can complete the challenge, before giving it to the church.

“There is a real focus on building communities and welcoming families at St James’ Church. It’s an evolving church that is starting to invest more into its youth work.

“They haven’t got this particular console and it’s an ideal console for children of his age.

“I hope he can do it and that we can one day trade up to the console.”

To follow Sam’s journey, or to trade an item yourself, visit the at St James’ Church Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/stjamescl