City goes nuts over conkers

Monday 25 October 2004 at 16:00

Once a year, the genteel UK countryside echoes to the sound of snagging string, exploding nuts and howls of frustration as the sleepy village of Ashton near Oundle in Northamptonshire plays host to the world conker championships.

Each year a proud new conker champion has his or her name inscribed on a coveted cup and walks away with a necklace and crown of shiny brown horse chestnuts.