DUBLIN (Reuters) - U2’s Bono finally found what he was looking for on Wednesday after winning a drawn-out legal battle to get his hat and trousers back from a former stylist with the band.

In a case that stretched the credulity of even the most fervent fan, U2 sued Lola Cashman last year for the return of mementos she said had been given as presents when she worked with them in the 1980s.

The disputed items included trousers, a Stetson hat and earrings worn by singer Bono during U2’s 1987 Joshua Tree tour, along with photographs and, bizarrely, a Christmas decoration.

Cashman, whose unauthorized biography of the band claimed Bono was obsessed by his weight and height, went back to court last month in a bid to overturn an order to return the items.

However, the end of what was dubbed "the Battle of Little Big Trousers" by one Irish newspaper came on Wednesday when a High Court judge reaffirmed the previous ruling and said he was satisfied the souvenirs — with an estimated value of 5,000 euros ($6,393) — remained the property of the band.

During the appeal Bono, a prominent anti-poverty campaigner, praised Cashman’s work, saying that before her arrival he had looked like Greek songstress Nana Mouskouri.

However, he maintained he would not have given Cashman the items, which he said had iconic status.

For her part, Cashman said Bono had "plonked" the cowboy hat on her head while dancing about in his underwear backstage after a concert in Arizona.

In his ruling on Wednesday the judge emphasized his decision was down to "the balance of probability" and that he did not believe Cashman was "deliberately being untruthful."

The stylist attempted unsuccessfully to sell the memorabilia at an auction in 2002.

Also among the disputed items were a green sweatshirt, rosary beads, videos and two mugs.

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