A former regional daily reporter who went on to work for national newspapers became a gold prospector for his latest book.

Steve Boggan, who worked at the Leicester Mercury in the 1980s, joined fortune-seekers in a new gold rush taking place in California.

He wrote about the experience in his new book Gold Fever – One Man’s Adventures on the Trail of the Gold Rush.

Steve has been a journalist for more than 30 years, including as a chief reporter with The Independent, and has also written for The Times and The Guardian.

Steve Boggan, left, is pictured with gold prospectors Dave Mack and Rich Krimm.

His first book was called Follow the Money: A Month in the Life of a Ten Dollar Bill and was published in 2012.

The latest book about how since the financial crisis, the price of gold has peaked and people with no experience of prospecting decided to try to find the metal.

Steve flew to San Francisco in 2013 to join the 21st Century gold rush with the hope of finding some himself.

He told the Mercury: “It was a terrific adventure and when I wasn’t overcome by fear of bears, rattlesnakes and mountain lions, I actually found some gold.

“More than that, I encountered genuine kindness from a host of modern gold miners who shared their know-how and kindness to this Brit greenhorn with two left thumbs.

“People keep asking whether I struck it rich while up in the mountains. I don’t want to give too much away – but I haven’t given up my day job…”

His adventure saw him meet a selection of colourful characters and get a crash course in prospecting, while learning about the history of gold.

Steve’s travelogue also looks back on the original gold rush, two centuries ago, tracing the path of the intrepid trekkers who sought riches.

The book is available from Amazon.