THE quest is over and The Case of The Burgled Buckles has been solved.

After weeks of sleuthing by budding detectives across the region, Echo Quest 2000 came to a climax yesterday at Whitworth Hall Hotel and Country Park, County Durham.

About 2,000 people took part in a hunt for hidden treasure which captured the imagination of readers of The Northern Echo.

The overall winners were Simon Farquhar, 31, and his partner Amanda Gould, of Bargate, Richmond, North Yorkshire, helped by Simon's sister Sam.

They were first out of the hat after solving all 34 clues and answering the final question - "How many silver buckles is Bobby Shafto wearing on his knees today?"

The answer was three. Mr Farquhar, who works at North Yorkshire County Council, and Ms Gould, a receptionist at Richmond School, now win £5,000 worth of jewellery, watches and clocks, courtesy of F Hinds.

Mr Farquhar said: "I am stunned. I cannot believe we have actually won

"The last watch I owned only cost £4.99 and we're now looking forward to picking up the prize."

Echo Quest is now set to become an annual event, more than ten years after it disappeared from the pages of The Northern Echo.

Deputy editor Colin Tapping said: "It has been a phenomenal success.

"There have been many years between the last Echo Quest and this one, and I don't think readers will have to wait so long again for the next Quest to begin."

At last, Watson - Page