FORGET pub dominoes or darts - the games lovers of Bolton have come up with something a bit more taxing for the those who want to keep their brain cells stimulated.

After years of enjoying a range of intellectual board games, retired teacher Joe Stephenson and his pals have decided to set up the Bolton Mind Games Group in the hope of encouraging more devotees of games like Go, Othello, Chess and Shogi.

The group of friends held their first meeting in the upstairs bar of the Gypsies Tent pub in Deansgate last week.

But so many years of playing each other means games are becoming predictable. They want new blood to boost their numbers and give them more of a challenge.

"Mental fitness is important at my age," said 62-year-old Joe. "It is the use it or lose it principle.

"When you retire and stop making decisions, you need to exercise the grey matter."

Joe's love of board games dates back to boyhood when he was captain of his school chess team.

Later when he became a German teacher, first at Thornleigh and then at Rivington and Blackrod schools, he ran games clubs for the pupils.

Then during one wet family holiday in Anglesey, Joe, his wife Sue and their three children bought the intellectual ancient Chinese board game Go to keep them occupied.

It became an instant hit with Joe and when, he discovered another Bolton enthusiast, they started a club which ran from Joe's home in Victoria Road, Horwich, for several years.

Pressures of work for members brought the club to an end, but a year ago Joe discovered an internet site where Go addicts from around the world play each other - sometimes involving as many as 2,500 people at a time.

Joe's interest in games was rekindled and he and his friends now hope to interest many more people in a variety of mind-stimulating games to be played each Tuesday at the Gypsies Tent from 7.30pm onwards.

"Board games have never been away. They don't make the headlines but they are still popular," said the grandfather-of-five. "But the one problem with board games is you have got to have someone to play with you."

He is hopeful that people keen on games - but without others to play with them - will be eager to join the group, although Joe does not see board games becoming a widespread pub activity.

"I don't think it will ever be more than a minority interest - but it would be lovely if it was," said Joe.

Anyone interested in joining the group is invited to turn up to the Tuesday meetings.