Hail the all-conkering heroes!

10:10am Monday 6th October 2008

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THEY may be smaller and there may be fewer to choose from, but the humble conker can still be a big hit.

Enthusiasts were not letting the fact that the conker’s very existence is under threat spoil their enjoyment at the sixth annual Holly Hill tournament, in Fareham.

Horse chestnut trees in the south have come under attack from the leaf miner larvae, from Greece and Macedonia, which is causing conkers to fall early.

Families from across Hampshire descended on Holly Hill Woodland Park to take part in the popular tournament, but had to use smaller than usual conkers.

Friends of Holly Hill Woodland Park, which organises the event, were forced to search far and wide for suitable conkers this year.

David Redwood said: “The pests have been feasting on the horse chestnut leaves and destroying the greenery, causing the leaves to fall early and therefore bringing the conkers with them. These events could suffer in future.”

Despite this, an afternoon of fierce but friendly competition was enjoyed.

Georgia Allen, seven, of Sarisbury Green, said: “I like playing conkers because my one is strong and shiny so I can easily get another one cracked.”

Louis Barrett, eight, beat Vaughan Thomas to be crowned conker champ.