The Northern Echo's Superbrain quiz will appear in the paper on Christmas Eve - but it will only be the first round because we are doing it differently this year.

The Christmas Eve edition will also contain our traditional giant crossword - with about 800 clues. We believe this crossword to be the largest published in any newspaper in the country.

In recent days, we have been deluged with telephone calls from people asking when the North-East's toughest trivia quiz will be printed.

It will begin with the TV and films round on Tuesday, and we shall print a round of 50 questions every day, with sport on Boxing Day, books on Friday, December 28, pop on Saturday, December 29, and the North-East round appearing on Monday, December 30.

On New Year's Eve we will be printing a 32-page review of the year supplement which will contain an extended current affairs round - 100 questions on the events of 2002 - and the answer grid.

The top prize in this year's quiz, which has been running in The Northern Echo for more than 20 years, is £250.

To ensure you get every round of Superbrain, order your copies of The Northern Echo from your local newsagent.

* The Christmas Eve edition of the paper will also include a bumper 7Days with the holiday TV listings.