Conker entries 'ridiculous' after cheating claims

David Jakins won the men's World Conker Championships, fair and square, in 2024, its organisers said

The organiser of the World Conker Championship said it received a "ridiculous" number of entrants due to publicity from last year's event following cheating claims.

Charles Whalley said he would soon have to close entry to the event in Southwick, Northamptonshire, which takes place next month, as he has received so many.

Last year David Jakins won the men's competition but there were claims he had cheated by swapping a real conker for a metal one.

Mr Whalley said it had been proven he did not cheat but the extra publicity had been "absolutely incredible" as the potential scandal travelled the world.

All conkers are provided by organisers to make sure they meet the requirements

Mr Whalley said the event, that started in 1965, had raised more than £420,000 for charity but last year it had its most publicity yet.

"It took a team of a lot of volunteers to fend off the media.

"It was chaos at the time, but looking back on it, what an experience.

"We always knew he didn't cheat but we needed to find the proof and fortunately, with the videos that we were sent in, it became evident fairly quickly that he was innocent."

He said the news made headlines "everywhere" including across the USA, Dubai, Australia, New Zealand and across the UK.

Each conker is threaded with a leather strip

The event is expecting about 256 adult and up to 60 child entries.

"Because of last years publicity it's just gone ridiculous," he said.

"We warned anyone wanting to take part needs to get in quick as we think we will close entries a week or two early."

Volunteers are getting the conkers ready, as lots of trees have already shed them.

He said most had been picked and frozen and to ensure everyone plays fair, the group supply all of the nuts and drill a whole into each one.

The event on 12 October, at the Shuckburgh Arms, will take place from 09:30 until 16:00 BST.

Kelci Banschbach, from Indianapolis, became the first American to be crowned world champion in 2024