The Maidstone heat of the KM Big Charity Quiz concluded in high drama, with the result being decided via a tie-break question and just five points separating the top three teams.

All three top teams – including that of Canterbury’s Unicorn Inn featuring former EastEnders star Shaun Williamson –will now go through to the Big Quiz final at Canterbury’s Westgate Hall in January.

The winning team was long-term Big Quiz contestants We Love Fine Ants.

Previous winners The Moomins came second, and the Unicorn came third. Also qualifying for the county final was fourth-placed Capsicums.

In addition, Chris Ball from Maidstone won VIP family tickets for the Hazlitt Theatre’s pantomime Beauty and the Beast after correctly answering a mystery question within 10 seconds in the One in 10 challenge.

The quiz took place at Maidstone Leisure Centre on Friday (November 8), and raised more than £3,000 for Kent Messenger charity of the year Royal British Legion Industries and the KM Charity Team’s green travel and literacy work.

Shepherd Neame provided the drinks for the fundraising Spitfire bar, and toy manufacturer Hornby donated a Scalextric set for a charity raffle that was match-funded by Barclays Bank, whose staff also manned the bar and ran a cake sale on the night.

The event was also supported by Specsavers, Office Angels and IMP Studio & Live.

Event coordinator Dominic Comins said: “What a cliff-hanger of an evening – I can’t remember any Big Quiz ending in such dramatic fashion. It was neck and neck right to the very end.

“Congratulations to winning team We Love Fine Ants, who have come so close so many times previously. It’s great that they’ve finally got to raise the trophy.

“Well done, too, to our three runners-up. We look forward to seeing all four teams in the Big Quiz county final.

“And thanks so, so much to Shepherd Neame, Barclays, Hornby, Specsavers, Office Angels and IMP Studio & Live for their generous support and helping ensure the evening’s success.”

See the full quiz results here.