A CHANCE discovery of a rusty key hanging from tree in a Forest carpark has led to a spiralling online mystery saga.

Elizabeth Cork from Buckshaft Road, Cinderford, first spotted the key when she parked up in the Cinderford Co-op.

Intrigued, she took a photo of the key and posted it on Facebook, titling it 'I wonder where this key unlocks?'.

"I thought it was a rather bizarre sight and wondered if anyone had any idea what or where it might unlock.

"It was met with some rather interesting comments! The first was 'it unlocks Devon' and then they descended into the world of fantasy, along the lines of the key unlocks the tree and that there was someone locked inside waiting to be set free."

Faced with an increasing barrage of suggestions and ideas, Elizabeth did what any sensible person might do.

"I was sat there in my pyjamas and decided I just had to go back and get the key. I thought it has come into my life for a reason and I really want to reunite it with its rightful owner."

So she went back (yes, after changing out of her pyjamas) collected it and embarked on further intensive research. She believes it's a Gibbons of Willenhall key made by a company dating back to the 1760s.

"What happens next is anyone's guess, but it would be great to find out what or where the key unlocks or, even better, who owned it."