HERE'S one for stay-at-home adventurers – an armchair treasure hunt with a book as your guide.

The book in question tells the story of the Bossall Treasure. This, according to author Douglas G Preston, was a hoard of gold and silver plate hidden in the moat surrounding Bossall Hall near York during the Civil War.

Mr Pearson, a Lancashire businessman with roots in Knottingley and Wakefield, claims to be descended from John Pearson, the Steward to Sir Robert Belt, Lord of the Manor of Bossall in the mid 1600s.

Rumour has it that Pearson, who was Douglas's nine times great grandfather, later stole the treasure.

The Bossall Treasure is Douglas's own, self-published account of what happened. But it also includes a treasure hunt of its own.

Follows the clues in his book and you will be led, he says, not to the Bossall Treasure, but to a replica of a Lorraine Cross made of gold-plated bronze which Douglas had made especially.

It is not of high value, he admits – and it isn't buried anywhere near Bossall Hall. But if you enjoy this kind of treasure hunt, it could be good fun trying to trace it...