New head teacher lifts conker ban

Conker games were banned because of injury fears

A ban on playground conker games has been lifted at a Somerset school after the arrival of a new head teacher.

Conker battles were outlawed five years ago at Cossington Primary School, near Bridgwater, because of concerns about injuries to the pupils.

But newly-appointed headmistress Catherine Groves said: "It's a harmless game if handled safely.

"I think we want children to spend time outside; a lot of children spend their time indoors these days."

The children have been having lessons in how to prepare conkers for play.

One pupil told the BBC: "I just think that if we're not playing conkers, then our children aren't going to play conkers and it'll just die out in the end."

Mrs Groves added: "I think a lot of fun can be had playing conkers so I decided it was time to change things around and have conkers at Cossington."