CANTERBURY'S civic leader has issued a challenge to test the public's quick wits and general knowledge.

The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress are appealing for teams to compete in the KM Big Quiz, which event organizers hope will reclaim the record for the largest charity wine and wisdom evening ever staged in Kent.

The Lady Mayoress of Canterbury's Charity Appeal is one of the four causes to benefit from this year's Canterbury heat of the event and Cllr Cyril Windsor is challenging teams to battle for the KM Big Quiz Trophy.

The quiz will take place at the Body and Mind Sports Hall, Knight Avenue, Canterbury from 7pm on Friday, March 28, and tickets can be bought using a credit or debit card from the KM Big Quiz section of the website www.kmwalktoschool.co.uk

Four causes will benefit from the proceeds raised on the night. These are the Canterbury district branch of the RSPCA, League of Friends at Canterbury Hospital, Lady Mayoress of Canterbury's Charity Appeal and the award winning children's road safety charity, Kent Walking Bus project.

The cost for a table of eight people remains at £60, as it has done for the last two years, which is £7.50 per person. The ticket price includes a ploughman's meal and a complimentary glass of wine.

The 2007 Canterbury event smashed both the record for the largest charity quiz night ever staged in Kent and the record for the amount raised and event organisers are keen to match or better last year's performance. £10,000 was raised and 76 teams took part.

While Canterbury holds the record for the largest amount raised for charity the Ashford KM Big Quiz attracted 84 teams at an event held at the Stour Centre in the autumn. Canterbury Big Quiz organisers hope to snatch back the record.

Cllr Windsor said: "A team will represent the Lady Mayoress of Canterbury's Charity Appeal at this super event and I hope the public will enter teams and take them on.

"I particularly would like to see more teams from parish councils and city and county council departments competing for the Local Government Shield this year."

Sponsors for this year's event include the Body and Mind Sports Centre, Serco, Brettt Aggregate, P&O Ferries, Parry Sharratt Solicitors, BSF consultant engineers and Shepherd Neame.

To donate a prize for the raffle call Mr Dolby on 07989 164 752.