Christmas has come early for a north Norfolk youngster who has scooped a sparkling prize worth £4,000 in a treasure hunt.

Eastern Daily Press: The Jewel of Gold, Garnet, Diamond and South Sea PearlThe Jewel of Gold, Garnet, Diamond and South Sea Pearl (Image: Archant)

Archie Bradnock, 12, from Neatishead, took part in the hunt at Blickling Hall throughout September and October.

The hunt was the 'Birds & Beasts of Tudor Blickling - A Michealmas Pageant' and was created by Red Dot Gallery in Holt.

It featured various clues hidden within 16 paintings by Kate Leiper, and other riddles around the house and gardens.

Archie is now the proud owner of a hand-crafted pendant of gold, garnet, diamond and south-sea pearl, designed exclusively by Alison Bradley, after beating 200 other entrants.

Mum Allison said: 'We loved spending the time together as a family and having the opportunity to work together as a team.'

The hunt is based on the story of Anne Boleyn and her brother George visiting the hall in 1514. While visiting, she is given a pendant by her parents and before she leaves, the pendant is lost or stolen.

Colin Rawlings, owner of the Red Dot Gallery, said: 'How wonderful that a young man, of similar age to George and Anne Boleyn in the story, should be the one to solve the mystery and win this prize.'

This is the third bespoke art exhibition and treasure hunt that the Red Dot Gallery and the National Trust's Blickling Estate have run together.

House manager Jan Brookes-Bullen said: 'The clues were very difficult, so Archie has done a fantastic job. You could not wish for a more gracious and modest winner.'

Archie said: 'We are going to keep it in the family and hand it down as an heirloom.

'We won it in a very special way and we will treasure it forever.'