In pictures: World Conker Championships

John West, 64, from Northampton and Dave Pitcher, 60, from Lincolnshire

John West: "This is a little bit of old England, a fast vanishing heritage that just keeps on going here."

Dave Pitcher: "I'm a mild person. I got all my aggression out of me years ago - just be happy and enjoy the day. This place cocks a snoop at the political correctness crowd, which is great."

The Ashton event was founded in 1964 by a group of friends in the pub and has grown steadily since.