"I've found the lost treasure of Lima"

It is a treasure trove so valuable it would leave Captain Jack Sparrow weak at the knees - and for over 190 years, it's exact location has been shrouded in mystery.
Now, a market trader from Melton, Leicestershire, claims he has succeeded where hundreds have failed. Michael Munroe reckons he has pinpointed the site of the Treasure of Lima, thought to be worth more than £100 million. He has spent 14 years studying historical documents and maps of the Cocos Island, off Costa Rica. Historians say the trove was buried on the notorious pirate island in 1820 by Captain William Thompson, who had been entrusted with transporting the church of Lima's treasure to Mexico. According to legend, Captain Thompson killed the passengers on his brig, the Mary Dear, and buried the loot on the island.
The haul includes a life-size gold statue of the Virgin Mary, 273 jewelled swords, solid gold crowns, more than 1,000 diamonds and chestfuls of precious gems. Mr Munroe said "The Cocos Island has been at the back of my mind ever since I heard about it 25 years ago. "It is a huge list of items we are talking about - something like 100 tonnes of treasure". Adventurers including flamboyant film star Errol Flynn and British racing driver Sir Malcolm Campbell are among those who have embarked on unsuccessful expeditions to recover the treasure.
However, Mr Munroe, 53, claims to have had a breakthrough with research by university academics into the soil types on the island - but does not want to go into further details, so as not to reveal it to other treasure seekers. He said "It was seeking professional geographic help which cracked it. "Since the 1930's, there have been at least 26 expeditions, but nobody has based a search on the soil and sand locations. I have the exact location of the treasure, which is backed up by descriptions of it being buried."
Now, Mr Munroe is applying to the Costa Rican government for permission to go to the island - a protected national park - to excavate. If he finds the treasure, the market trader, who makes a living from selling his own paintings, would be entitled to a quarter of it's estimated £100 million worth under international salvage law.

Extract taken from the Leicester Mercury, 30th March 2009