Norfolk-Suffolk border conkers tournament 'encourages cheating'

Organiser Yanny Mac (centre) said the competition helped raise funds for charity

An annual conkers tournament has just been staged for the 17th time - with the organiser saying cheating was "positively encouraged".

The Waveney Valley Conkers Tournament was held at The Locks pub at Geldeston on the Norfolk-Suffolk border.

"In order to create a very flat playing field, we said everyone can cheat," said organiser Yanny Mac.

This might involve baking conkers, or soaking them in vinegar, to make them harder to smash, he explained.

The event was set up by former University of East Anglia students, "desperate to bring back things that were banned", Mr Mac said.

In the early 2000s, a myth sprang up that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) had banned conker fights.

The competition also encourages people to get creative with horse chestnuts - commonly known as conkers

The HSE was even forced to put a denial on its website, describing the story as "an old chestnut".

Although not officially forbidden, some schools do not allow children to play for fear of hurting someone.

The group said it had also revived dwile flonking, an East Anglian pub game in which two teams take turns to dance around the other while attempting to avoid a beer-soaked cloth being thrown at them by their opponents.

Sunday's tournament, described as "less serious" than the world championships held in Northamptonshire, featured several categories, including Best Dressed Conker.

Mr Mack said the event was all about "nerve, skill, accuracy and panache" - plus a few beers.

Children were encouraged to participate, with special categories for them.

The whole event also raises money for local charities, with this year's funds - £100 - going towards toilet paper for the pub, which is community-run.

The overall winner was local ferryman, Carl Murray, who had tried for 17 years to win the top prize.

Carl Murray (second right) eventually tasted success after years or trying