A FAMILY in Carlisle has purchased an antique safe dating back 180 years with its locked contents remaining a mystery. 

Stephen Leighton, from County Durham originally, purchased the J.Carwright & Son safe, weighing around 130 kilograms, from a seller in Newcastle for £150.

"The guy selling it said it had been in his family for a long time and they hadn’t had a key, it was the same with the previous owners - that's kind of the intrigue with it," Stephen said. 

Since bringing the safe home, Stephen has been attempting to unlock it, especially after hearing something rattling inside.

J.Carwright & Son safe dates back 180 yearsJ.Carwright & Son safe dates back 180 years (Image: Supplied)

"I’ve been watching YouTube videos on how to pick the lock, but there’s nothing really that’s been able to help really," he said. 

Unable to open it so far, Stephen and his family turned to social media for advice.

“A few people mentioned Buckle & Jones Locksmith in Carlisle has a bunch of similar keys for those safes. The plan is to go down to see if we can get a key to open it.

"Failing that, it will be a locksmith job.

“People are invested in it now though, when we open it up it’s going to be really disappointing when there's nothing inside, it’ll be like the Titanic room when you open it up and there’s nothing," Stephen laughed. 

As someone who enjoys creating unique items and "quirky bits around the house", he believes the safe will be a fitting addition to their home's decor, irrespective of what's inside. 

"It would be nice if there were something inside it but it’ll be interesting just to get it open.

"Once it’s open, the plan is to refurbish it it's a nice bit of furniture, so it’ll be nice whatever happens," he said.