The quiz league boffins, brainboxes and trivia buffs have been missing is back - and it looks set to be more successful than ever.

The Oxford Mail Quiz League, a competition open to all pubs and clubs in Oxfordshire, will be up and running again from Thursday, March 8. The top three teams in each division will go through to play for the Oxford Mail Trophy.

Teams which are knocked out go on to compete for the new Supplementary Cup - with both finals held on the same night.

Organiser James Carr said: "Our aim in the future is to restore the competition back to the days when it was the biggest of its kind in southern England under the leadership of the late Ted Payne, and to make Thursday nights in the Oxford Mail Quiz League an evening to look forward to once again."

The last Oxford Mail competition ended after Mr Payne, who ran it for eight years, died in 1997, aged 50.

The league's new format will be eight rounds over an hour-and- a-half. There will also be a Knock-Out Cup. Organisers plan to re-introduce the Ted Payne Memorial Trophy as well as running singles and pairs competitions.

All matches are staged on a home and away basis. Teams consist of four players, two of which may be substituted at half-time.

Any teams wishing to compete in the league should call 01865 428720.