LONDON (Reuters) - Britain has swept the board at the World Conker Championship, winning the hard-fought men's and women's titles and unlimited ice cream. "The winners were awarded tankards, goblets and an endless supply of ice cream," organiser John Hadman said on Sunday.
Relief swept the global conker community on Friday after organisers said the World Conker Championship would go ahead.
Fears that a conker shortage in Britain, caused by a blistering summer, would scupper the contest to find King and Queen Conker were allayed after fans donated thousands of conkers, the tough brown fruit of the horse chestnut tree.
The men's world champion is Brian Stewart from Corby and the women's champion is Debbie Oaks from Walthamstow.
The game involves swinging a conker threaded on the end of a string at an opponent's conker with the aim of smashing it.
"We were worried we would not have enough conkers," Hadman said.
"There were not sufficient conkers from our normal trees, but people have been very generous."
The high summer temperatures have caused conkers to ripen early and left many smaller than usual.
The shortage has been so severe that conkers have found their way on to Internet auction house eBay.
About 5,000 spectators turned up at the village green of Ashton, central England, to watch the unusual sport.
Hadman said the 39th annual championship would get through about 1,200 conkers as 350 competitors from as far away as the United States and Ukraine battle for top honours.
Although a favourite for generations of British school children the game has in recent years gained popularity throughout the world.
Adherents often have secret recipes for toughening up their conkers, ranging from pickling in vinegar to baking in an oven.
But the World Championship only allows untreated conkers. Bureau Report