AN Essex school is determined to preserve an under-fire British tradition this week as it continues to hold its annual conker championships.Broomgrove Junior School in Wivenhoe hosts the competition every autumn as the weather turns and the conkers fall.

AN Essex school is determined to preserve an under-fire British tradition this week as it continues to hold its annual conker championships.

Broomgrove Junior School in Wivenhoe hosts the competition every autumn as the weather turns and the conkers fall.

Children have enjoyed playing conkers for more than 150 years, although in recent years the suitability of the game as a playground activity has been questioned for safety reasons.

Jean Quinn, the teacher in charge of the tournament, said that the children thoroughly enjoyed the tradition and that it was something the school were committed to continuing.

“People have been playing conkers for decades and I have never heard of anybody dying from it. The most they might get is a bruised finger,” she said.

“Part of growing up is taking risks. I would imagine there are more injuries from riding bikes than there are from playing conkers.”

Mrs Quinn, who teaches in year six, said that the competition is split into two categories; the traditional conker knockout game and a section to decide the best decorated conker.

The competition runs during the first week in October, and the winner will be presented with a golden conker.

“The parents say the children have enormous fun collecting the conkers and getting them ready,” said Mrs Quinn.

“I did not want to see it die out under the pressure of television and computer games.”