A DUO of Davids have won The Northern Echo Superbrain quiz for the third year in four.

But they may not win next year - because the pair look likely to be setting the questions.

The title of Superbrain 2003 goes to teacher Dave Tucker, of Aycliffe Village, and bread delivery man David Chisholm, of Newton Aycliffe, both County Durham.

They scored 394 points out of 420 and won by 12 points.

Mr Tucker, the pastoral head of the upper school at Branksome, in Darlington, wins the £250 first prize and Mr Chisholm, who starts his rounds at 3am each morning, wins the £100 runner-up prize.

It was the 19th year of Superbrain, and the pair said it was the hardest year ever.

They were perplexed by the 15 pictures of North-East clocks but, by driving around and flicking through books, they found 12.

"I know it sounds sad but it has made me appreciate clocks," said Mr Chisholm.

They were troubled by the TV and Film round, on which they scored 63 out of 70, five points more than anyone else.

The pair are entering negotiations with The Northern Echo about setting next year's quiz.

Mr Tucker said: "I would really love to do it."

The winners of the £25 category prizes were:

Pop - Stuart Hamilton, of Richmond, North Yorkshire, one of three to get 69/70;

Sport - Mike Buckle, of Sadberge, near Darlington, the highest score of 62;

TV and Film - Dave Tucker, 63;

Current Affairs - Emma Hickerson, of Darlington, one of several with 68;

North-East - Neil Teasdale, of Ferryhill, County Durham, one of four on 64 and the king of the clocks with only three wrong;

Books - Joyce Stron, of Middridge, County Durham, who got 70, as did Mary Grant, of Framwellgate Moor, Durham, Peter White, of Sedgefield, County Durham, and Ian Self and Dave Blacklock, of Durham.

A few answers have been modified since their publication a fortnight ago. A list will appear online at www.thisisthenortheast on Monday.