THE winner of Superbrain 2003, the North-East's toughest trivia quiz, is a 22-year-old toolmaker.

Neil Teasdale, of Ferryhill, County Durham, got 342.5 points out of a possible 350 and was adjudged the winner of The Northern Echo's traditional competition, which ran over Christmas.

Neil is spending his £250 first prize on the house in Morrison Terrace which he and his girlfriend, Susan Swaddle, are doing up.

"The money's already spent," said a delighted Neil. "We've nearly finished the upstairs and the bathroom's going in this weekend, but the downstairs wants plastering and needs new ceilings, so the money will go on getting the plasterer in."

It was the first time Neil had entered the competition in his own right. "I helped with the winners last year and thought this year I'd enter myself," he said.

"I looked on the Internet and asked the lads at work for some help, but there was another lad in the paintshop who was doing it and so I kept away from him!"

Neil, who works at Tallent Engineering, Aycliffe, County Durham, was level on 342.5 points with Darlington schoolteacher Dave Tucker's team, which has won the quiz for the past two years. Dave, who teaches at Branksome School, was drawn out after Neil, and so wins the £100 second prize.

On 338.5 points was former winner Dave Blacklock, of Durham. Ian Self, also of Durham, was on 337.5 followed by John Dellar, of Shincliffe, on 335. Jill Philo, of Pity Me, scored 334 and Peter Twiss, of High Shincliffe, got 332.

Nearly 100 people had a shot at the quiz. Cheques will be posted to winners.