Conkers championship at Knott End in Lancashire proves such a hit it will now become an annual event

The inaugural ‘Bourne Arms Knott End and Preesall World’ Conkers Championships was staged on Saturday (October 21).

There was a packed house at the Bourne Arms pub as 32 combatants took up their stringed conkers to do battle, after randomly picking them from a covered bucket.

After the competitors were divided into two groups of 16, the grand finale saw the last two ‘survivors’ take centre stage.

And once the dust had settled, Andy Gregory was declared the winner after his conker proved to be the sturdiest of the lot.

He was presented with the winner’s trophy by Janet Lewin, the Mayor of Pressall and Knott End, after a closely contested final.

Stuart Ward, who runs the pub with wife Julie, organised the championships as a fun event as well as being a fundraiser for his chosen charity, Help For Heroes.

Stuart, also the referee on the day, said: “The place was packed and the atmosphere was brilliant.

"At first everyone was having a giggle but it got a little bit more serious later on – there was a trophy at stake, after all!

"We’ll definitely make it an annual event now.”

Janet Lewin said: “I was delighted to open the Bourne Arm’s very first conker championship – and present the trophy.

"It was very tense in the final – a very close contest.

"I’m glad Stuart’s making it an annual event, it was a brilliant evening and a fabulous fundraiser for Help For Heroes.”

The event raised a total of £250 for the armed forces charity.