Couple unlock treasure trove in surprise house

A MIDLAND handyman who inherited an 18th century house was stunned after he unearthed a treasure trove of antique padlocks worth thousands of pounds.

- ED CHATTERTON

Michael Hamson, 79, stumbled across the historical hoard after he came into ownership of the property in Brewood, Staffordshire when its former owner died.

The grandfather-of-three had spent decades doing odd jobs for Mary Eileen Jones until she died, aged 93, and the house and its contents formed part of a surprise inheritance.

While clearing out the property he was left gobsmacked to find hundreds of padlocks dating from the 1800s and made by a company founded by one of Ms Jones’ ancestors.

The 200 locks were stashed away throughout the house in crates, hidden under the stairs and in the garage. The haul is set to fetch between £4,000 to £6,000 at Fieldings in Stourbridge today.