COULD Somerset be home to the UK’s smartest pub?

Pub firm Marston’s has teamed up with TV host and comedian Paddy McGuinness on a search for the UK’s brainiest bar.

From today (May 1) until May 22, weekly quizzes will take place in more than 200 Marston’s outlets across the country – including in Somerset – with one location each week being crowned the Smartest Pub in the UK.

The brainiest pubs will win up to £1,000 from the Marston’s Charitable Foundation to donate to a local cause or project, which will be presented in person by Paddy.

The top scorer from the winning pubs will also get their hands on a £50 voucher to get the drinks in.

Players can take part in all four quizzes for free, with their cumulative score being logged across the month if they take part every week.

The individual quiz-goer with the highest overall score from across every quiz night will bag a £5,000 cash prize and the chance to join Paddy for an in-person congratulations.

The audio-based quiz will kick off each Thursday night at 8pm. Guests will be invited to log on via QR codes and play four rounds via their phones, with Paddy’s questions and a live compere being played for all to hear, via the pub sound system.

While pub quizzes are usually played in teams, the Marston’s Big Pub Quiz is every person for themself, giving the chance for groups to engage in some friendly competition to reach the highest score, add to the pub’s average score and claim ultimate bragging rights.

Where can I take part in the Marston’s Big Pub Quiz?

In Somerset and Dorset, the Marston’s Big Pub Quiz will take place at:

• The Skylark, Westpark, Wellington, TA21 9AD
• Half Moon, Half Moon Street, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3LN
• Nothe Tavern, Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8TZ
• Foundry Arms, 58 Lagland Street, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1QG
• Victoria Cross, 377 Ashley Road, Parkstone, Poole, Dorset, BH14 0AT
• Elephant & Castle, 126 Station Road, West Moors, Dorset, BH22 0JB
• Water Meadow, Verbena Court, Melksham, Melksham, SN12 7GG
• Old Lane, Lodge Road, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 3SY
• Wichel Inn, Frodgen Lane, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN1 7AP
• Manor Farm, Haydon Wick, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN25 1JE

Paddy said: “I’m so excited to be working with Marston’s to find the smartest pub in the UK, and support some amazing community causes while we’re at it.

“I’m very much looking forward to meeting the winners and community projects to congratulate them in person.

“We want as many people as possible to head down to their local to join in each week and give the quiz a go. To the pub!”

Claire Robertson, director of operations at Marston’s, added: “When people think of the pub, they often think of a pub quiz and we know how much our guests up and down the country love them, but now we’re taking it to the next level.

“We’re so excited to be working with Paddy to launch the Marston’s Big Pub Quiz and find the Smartest Pub in the UK, but we’re supporting some amazing local causes while we’re at it.”

The Marston’s Big Pub Quiz is set to run tonight (May 1), and on May 8, 15 and 22, starting at 8pm, in pubs across the country.

To find your nearest participating pub, visit marstonspubs.co.uk/big-pub-quiz.