IT SEEMS people are no longer bonkers about conkers as Preston's first ever championships were called off due to lack of interest.

Only one team and eight individuals entered the knock-out conker contest but were told at the 11th hour they had nobody to compete against.

The news came as a big blow for the Feeney family who had been training hard in the run-up to the event.

Youngsters Patrick and Rebecca had collected hundreds of conkers to practise on, and even three-year-old sister Eleanor had scored a few hits. Mum Fiona came out tops though husband Father Damian of Preston's Parish Church disagreed.

Fiona explained: "We were all very keen. Conkers have been flying all over the house. There's been a few bruised hands and the cat's been in hiding!

"It's a shame the contest was cancelled. It's harmless seasonal fun."

The battle was to kick off on Preston's Flag Market on Monday (Nov 3) culminating in a grand final this Saturday.

Tracey-Jane Harding, of Parish Prospect Preston which organised the event said: "There's a lot of big kids out there who won't admit it."

Now there's one big problem they must dispose of... a heap of unwanted conkers!

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.