THERE is a mystery surrounding a very peculiar item kept in St Bridget’s Church in Bridgerule.

Stocks with seven leg (or arm) holes have been situated in the church for many years but with no explanation for the odd number.

Interested resident and amateur historian, Rose Hitchings of Bridgerule, asked: “Can someone tell me why our Bridgerule village stocks — kept at St Bridget’s Church — has seven leg/feet holes in it? Was there a regular naughty one-legged man that was put in the stocks along with other felons? Or is there a much more sensible reason?”

It is unknown where in the village the stocks would have been situated and whether or not they were used.

Can any of our readers uncover the mystery of these odd stocks, why there are seven spaces and any stories of them being used?