BURY lad Paddy Hayes and his team were pipped at the post in the final of University Challenge.

Paddy and his three brainy colleagues from Imperial College, London came within seconds of snatching a dramatic victory.

They got off to a dreadful start in the final against Somerville College, Oxford and at one point they were 145 points behind!

But they staged a late rally to come within just five points, only for Somerville to grab the honours by answer a crucial question just before the famous bell sounded.

The Imperial team were looking to retain the trophy, and had already triumphed over Edinburgh, De Montford, Christ Church and St Hugh's, Oxford.

Paddy (22) is a former pupil of St Gabriel's High School, and his parents live in Brandlesholme Road, Bury.

After doing his A-levels at Holy Cross College, he went to Imperial to do an M.Sc. in chemistry and is now reading for a Ph.D.

"We had an awful first half," he says. "All through the tournament we didn't feel any pressure, but when we saw the trophy being brought out, it all became serious, and for the first time we choked."

Viewers who watched the final on BBC2 saw Paddy playing the lead role in gee-ing up the team.

"Once we got going, we scored at will, and would have won if only we'd started the comeback five minutes earlier," he said.

"I didn't want our heads to drop. We were playing for pride when we were 150 points behind, but when we got closer, I thought "hang on, we've got a chance here".

"But it was a great atmosphere, especially when we watched it later in the student union on the big screen."

Ironically, the special guest who presented Somerville with the trophy was Baroness Mary Warnock, an honorary fellow of Imperial!

Paddy is not allowed to compete in University Challenge next year, but is compiling questions to help select a team. He says the college paper has made it clear that the trophy is only on loan!

There could be further glory for the Imperial team. They have been invited to the USA next month to compete in the American equivalent tournament, and are now trying to raise sponsorship for the trip.