In dusty attics and cupboards across the land, old radio programmes languish on tapes and reels. Luckily, Keith Wickham and friends make it their business to find them and get them back where they belong - in the BBC archive.

Raiders of the Lost Archive tells the story of a collegiate network of audio archivists, sound engineers and hobbyists dedicated to repatriating these cultural treasures, outlining the complex work that is needed to ensure these programmes can be heard once again.

Swoon as we hear how the Radiophonic Workshop archive was saved. Laugh as Ken Dodd tells jokes that were old even in 1957. Thrill as the archivists locate lost episodes of Desert Island Discs, and hand them over to Lauren Laverne.

But that's not all. What is the astonishing audio holy grail that the Raiders archivists have turned up? A very special lost programme that has not been heard since 1955.

With special thanks to the Radio Circle, Richard Harrison, Roger Bickerton, Mark Ayres, Steve Arnold, Tom Hercock, Hannah Ratford and all at BBC Archives in Caversham.

Presented by Keith Wickham Written and Edited by Keith Wickham and James Peak Produced by James Peak

An Essential Radio production for BBC Radio 4