Young conker-ers have fought for glory armed only with a trusted nut and piece of string.

Thames Ditton Junior School’s annual conker contest attracted 87 entrants this year, all looking to win through in a series of lunchtime contests.

The conker championships sparked a range of educational activities, with pupils treated to a reading of the Conker as Hard as a Diamond in assemblies.

At home, the children tested kitchen science techniques by freezing, boiling, part-baking and soaking their conkers to harden them and ensure success.

Headteacher Nick Fry said he believed conkers - which were the centre of many playground debates when some schools banned them - were incredibly low risk.

Mr Fry said: “We clearly need to ensure that children under our care are healthy and safe within school and we take that responsibility seriously, but we also want to ensure that children can enjoy activities where the risk is negligible."