AN ELITE team of cyclists is gearing up to help out at the KM Big Quiz, to be held at the Body and Mind sports Hall, Canterbury in March.

The Canterbury Big Quiz will be staged at the Body and Mind Sports Hall, KNight Avenue, Canterbury, at 7pm on Friday, March 23. Teams of eight will compete for the KM Quiz Cup and a range of prizes.

The cost for a table of eight people is £60, which is £7.50 per person. The ticket price includes a ploughman's meal and a glass of wine, donated by Morrison. To book a table go to the Big Quiz section of the website www.kentwalkingbus.org

The riders are all members of the city's Downland Cycles racing team and have offered to become waiters for the evening, so that extra funds will roll in for four major charities - the children's road safety charity, Kent and Medway Walking Bus, the League of Friends of Kent and Canterbury Hospital, the Lady Mayoress of Canterbury's charity appeal and the Pilgrims Hospices in East Kent.

For a donation of £1 the cyclists will race drinks orders taken from teams straight over to the Shepherd Neame charity bar at the event. They will then speed the drinks back to the tables to ensure quiz goers are not kept waiting for their refreshments.

Team member and top UK cyclist, Kristian House, who usually rides for 900km a week in training, will be taking time out of his busy schedule, preparing for world championship competitions, to support the event.

Kristian, who is originally from Aylesham, now spends a large part of the year living and training in the United States and Belgium.

He will be joined by fellow Downlands team member Phil Anthony, 25, from Canterbury, who is in the Great Britain triathlon squad and follows an intensive exercise programme, devised by sports scientists at Christ Church University in order to maintain peak levels of fitness.

Phil is confident of being able to supply thirsty quiz-goers with their drinks orders in record-breaking time. He joked: "It may be a bit of a struggle but I think my fitness training will see me through," adding "I think the evening will be good fun."

Team mate Toby Roberts, 27, from Sandwich, who cycles for 300km per week is also sure that he will be a match for the challenge.

He said; "I will be able to wait on the teams with one hand, it'll be no problem."

Downlands Cycles is based at Canterbury West Station and co-owner Julie Jackson backs the elite cyclists by helping out with bike equipment, servicing and repairs. KM Big Quiz supporter Julie is happy to lend out the Downlands team and will also be offering her own support on the night. The business woman will be also sponsoring a KM Big Quiz round for £100.

This year's Canterbury event has already attracted a number of sponsors with Halifax Estate Agency and Whitefriars Shopping centre joining Body and Mind as top sponsors. For information on the event or to sponsor the night contact Simon Dolby on 07989 164752.