A Cumbrian teacher wowed the nation with his outstanding general knowledge as he came second on the Brain of Britain.

Michael Penrice, 58, who lives near Wigton, scored 15 points in the final of BBC Radio 4's quiz, coming a close second to the winner John Beynon, a gardener from Cheshire, who scored 18.

The final was recorded three weeks ago but aired yesterday afternoon.

After hearing it, Mr Penrice said: "I felt a bit flat and deflated. I had sort of got over it and then I listened to it and I'm deflated all over again.

"It could have gone the other way, it just depends on how the questions fall on the day."

The quiz could have gone the other way very easily, especially as Mr Penrice, who is an A-level history and politics lecturer at Carlisle College, had the most points going into the final round.

Although he answered many questions correctly, he stumbled on the last one: A character called John Self is the narrator and protagonist of which of Martin Amis' novels?

Mr Penrice wrongly answered The Rachel Papers and the other two finalists, William Barney and Diane Hallagan, also got the question wrong. Mr Beynon then got the question right with Money.

Contestants can re-enter the quiz in five years time and Mr Beynon encouraged Mr Penrice to have another go as he came second in the final six years ago.

Mr Penrice, who won Mastermind in 2001, said he is also considering entering other shows like Pointless and The Chase. He said he wished he could have appeared on University Challenge - he was the reserve member for Queen's College, Oxford.

When asked how he prepared for the quiz, Mr Penrice said he researched answers to questions he thought might come up and makes notes.

He said: "I have always had a good memory for learning things from when I was at school."

Mr Penrice said he felt relaxed when doing the quiz and not at all nervous.

"I really enjoyed. it. I like the competitive nature of it and I like trying to test myself and trying to prove myself. It isn't something that creates nerves," he said.