A BRAINY foursome can lay claim to being Herefordshire’s general knowledge champions after winning the St Michael’s Hospice Big Quiz.

Almost 100 people packed into Hereford Shirehall to challenge themselves against friends, colleagues and complete strangers.

For the second Big Quiz in a row, The Erudition Commission saw off the competition to scoop top prize.

The event raised around £4,500 for St Michael’s, a figure boosted by a generous donation from event sponsors Lloyds Bank.

One of the highlights of the evening was an auction of vintage 50-year-old Bulmers Pomagne, donated to St Michael’s by Hereford resident Bob Benjamin as a thank you to hospice staff who looked after his brother, Dave Benjamin, who died almost four years ago.

A team from Heineken, now owners of Bulmers, attended the quiz and bid a remarkable £850 for the 1968 bottle, plus £25 for a 1971 vintage, also donated by Mr Benjamin.

Simon Stubbs, one of the Heineken team members, said the bottles are ‘coming home’ and will be added to a collection in the reception area of Heineken’s Hereford home off Whitecross Road.

Paddy Nugent, the hospice’s community fundraising manager, thanked each team member for their support.

"We’re very grateful to everyone who attended The Big Quiz. We hope they enjoyed the night as much as we did," he said.

"Big thanks must also go to Lloyds Bank for their wonderful support, and Heineken for their very generous auction bids."

The St Michael’s Hospice Events season continues on Sunday with a Santa Run from Maylord Shopping Centre.