Some of the world's most intelligent people are based in Oxfordshire -- and they are queueing up to join Mensa, the society for people with a high IQ.

Their chance will come when Mensa visits Abingdon in February to conduct supervised tests for prospective members.

Oxford is the birthplace of the society, which is now offering local people the chance to join.

The tests will be held on Sunday, February 10, at the Manor Preparatory School, Abingdon. Anyone who records an IQ score of 148 -- which puts them in the top two per cent of the population -- is eligible for membership.

Test administrator Helen Oliver said: "This session has been added due to high demand in the area."

Mensa was founded in 1946 by Roland Berrill and Dr Lance Ware.

It currently has about 28,000 members.

It welcomes people from all walks of life and offers a wide range of social and cultural activities.

Anyone interested in taking the tests needs to book in advance by contacting Helen Oliver free on 0800 563 672.