Poor weather hits conker crop

Britain could face a conker shortage this year following poor August weather, experts warned.

Many have fallen from trees before they are ripe enough to be used for the popular pastime, The Campaign For Real Conkers said.

The group said this year’s conker season was likely to be delayed as a result.

Spokesman Keith Flett said ideally the conkers would ripen in warm, sunny and dry conditions then fall off the trees in wet and windy weather.

However, the poor weather has made the conkers fall prematurely meaning they are not ripe yet and still soft.

Mr Flett, 53, said: “Normally conkers games would be in full swing by now but there is a real shortage of serviceable conkers.

“The conkers are nowhere near ripe enough yet and people won’t be able to get their practice in.

“When you whack a conker before it is ripe it will crumble to bits.”

The late crop could pose problems for those wishing to compete in the World Conker Championships held on October 10 in Ashton, Northants, as their weapons could fall apart when they hit each other.