The quiz league Oxfordshire's brain-boxes and trivia buffs look forward to is back - with students from Oxford University challenging pub teams across the county.

The Oxford Mail Quiz League starts again on Friday, with 36 teams vying for the coveted Oxford Mail Trophy.

The graduate college St Cross College is the first Oxford University team to enter the competition in its history.

Quiz organiser James Carr, of The Inspired Quiz Company, said: "I'm sure a lot of teams will be looking to take them on. It will be good fun with them on board."

The results of each Thursday night's pub quizzes will be published in the Oxford Mail on Tuesdays.

The competition is split into four leagues, the East Division, Bicester and Kidlington Division, North West Division and the Oxford Division. The top five placed teams in each league go on to compete for the Oxford Mail Trophy, while the lower placed teams compete for the Supplementary Cup. The finals of both competitions will be held on May 9 next year.

Teams have another chance for glory in the Knock-Out Cup, the final of which will be held on May 2.

There will be a smaller league competition running from June to September next year.

Mr Carr predicted the forthcoming season would be highly competitive, with the inclusion of five pub teams which have never entered before.

The teams to keep an eye out for in the early rounds this year are the reigning Oxford Mail Trophy winner, the Blue Boar pub, at Chipping Norton, and the Kings Arms, at Wheatley, which holds the Knock-Out Cup.

But there will also be fun in the shape of a picture round and the Blockbuster Trophy which gives teams the chance to show off their knowledge of football and pop music over the season.

This season, the challenge is also on to find "the two finest quiz brains in Oxford" with the introduction of a new pairs competition.

Mr Carr said: "We hope this time next year when we start the competition we will be looking at 60 teams taking part."

A presentation evening marks the end of the season on May 16 and a handicap competition, the Ted Payne Trophy, is held the same night.

The competition commemorates the late Mr Payne, who ran the league for several years, making it one of the biggest of its kind in the south of England.

**For details about the contest, call 01865 437194, or visit the website at www.inspiredquizcompany.co.uk