Why a lost key is enough to drive you barking mad

The calming effects of listening to classical music or having a cup of tea are also effective when looking for lost items.

But retracing your steps in the hope of finding anything is less effective, researchers for the manufacturer My Nametags said.

Human behaviour expert Jez Rose said: “By consciously carrying out a significant action when you put something down, you are creating a mental tag on that moment. Barking like a dog when you put down your car keys is an extreme example, but the more unusual the action, the more likely you are to remember that moment.”

The researchers said women were best at finding lost objects, and that children aged 5-9 had “optimum cerebral capacity”.