Kirk prays for treasure trove

Could there be an old copy of the Beano in the safe?

A church is searching for a nimble-fingered safe-cracker in the hope of finding a treasure trove.

Elders at St Matthew's in Perth found two large safes while cleaning the church.

The minister, Rev. Ewan Gilchrist, managed to prise open the smaller safe with a credit-card size metal plate.

It was empty, but Mr Gilchrist believes the larger safe is more likely to be housing a secret horde.

However, the bigger safe, which appears to be purpose-built for storing valuables, has remained defiantly shut.

We'll stop short of letting them loose in the Kirk with gelignite, but we may have to resort to desperate measures as no-one seems to know where the keys are

Rev. Ewan Gilchrist

Mr Gilchrist joked: "We did think about nipping down to our local shop for some Semtex, but there are rules about these kind of things.

"We are desperate to learn what's inside and would appreciate the help of anyone adept at getting into safes without a key.

"We'll stop short of letting them loose in the Kirk with gelignite, but we may have to resort to desperate measures as no-one seems to know where the keys are."

The safe is likely to house trinkets and documents from the four congregations which combine to make up St Matthew's.

Forgotten cupboard

"Cleaning this place is like painting the Forth Rail Bridge. It's never-ending.

"We came across these giant safes tucked away in a cupboard and wondered what they were doing here.

"No-one knew of its existence, so there's no telling how long it's stayed buried and forgotten in the cupboard under the stairs.

The minister called round all the possible office-bearers going back to 1965, but no-one owned up to having a key.

"We have no idea if it's full of junk, or musty old documents. It could be an ancient communion cup or an original copy of the Beano, which would be valuable."

He said: "Churches accummulate all manner of things over the years and nobody wants to throw anything out for fear of offending someone.

"We are all just very curious and would love to find someone who can get the thing open for us."

He said the church would even pass on the safe - once it has been emptied - to any nostalgic safe-cracker who wants it for a memento.