Are you sitting comfortably? Good, because this is quite a tale. It involves a love affair between the sun and the moon, a beautiful jewel-encrusted hare, an epic two-year treasure hunt, a frenzy of digging in gardens and parks all around the country, a very smelly cowpat and Bamber Gascoigne. Oh yes, and a couple of spoilsports and a recluse.

Anyone approaching middle age is bound to remember Masquerade, the illustrated children's book written by Kit Williams, which contained hidden clues to find a small clay casket containing a golden hare. It sparked a national adventure and global media storm.

Thirty years after the five-inch amulet was buried in the dead of night, thanks to a BBC research team, an emotional Kit Williams, now 63 and with hand shaking and eyes brimming, was last week reunited with his sparkling creation.