We don't tend to use matches as much these days. None of us smoke and the cooker and fire have automatic ignitions but we always leave a packet of matches in the cupboard. They tend to come in handy for BBQ's and lighting birthday cakes.

The match we use is the one that we have always used and that is Swan Vesta. The Swan brand began in 1883 when a local match company in Liverpool Collard & Kendall started making the matches - originally out of molten wax on a wooden stick. Obviously this changed.

The box is rectangular and a lovely Yellow colour with a swan on the front and the wording Swan Vestas - The Original.

Sadly the factory no longer exists and the matches are made abroad.

The matches themselves are quite small and fiddly. I wish they had made them that bit longer. I've lost count of the times I've burnt my fingers lighting candles on cakes. However they are reliable and always strike well on the side of the box. Obviously because of the size of the matches they do not stay alight long.

For those who prefer to use matches instead of lighters I can highly recommend these. They cost anything from about 30-40p for a box or you can buy multi packs at a higher cost. Just be careful with the children.

Copyright stebiz 2012 - also on ciao.co.uk