A PRIMARY school has ignored those who say it's bonkers for pupils to play conkers by holding a tournament to celebrate the traditional children's game.

Le Cateau Primary, in Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, held a conker championship, despite other schools in the region banning the game from the playground amid health and safety fears.

More than 60 children and several members of staff took part in the tournament.

Headteacher Graham Shepherd said: "We recognised we had children who wanted to play conkers.

"We know there's a health and safety issue, but we decided to allow them to play, but in a controlled environment.

"We could have banned it, but by doing it in a structured way, the children get something out of it."

Conkers is not the only traditional children's game being played by pupils at Le Cateau - children also get the chance to play with marbles, skittles and space hoppers.

Skateboarding and rollerblading events are also planned in the near future.

The new activities are overseen by a play leader, eight adult play assistants - who double as dinner supervisors - and 24 play buddies from years five and six.

Mr Shepherd said running different games meant all pupils were included in break and lunchtime activities.

The scheme has been praised by Ofsted inspectors.

Last month, Newcastle City Council was criticised for stripping horse chestnuts from trees in a bid to stop youngsters hurting themselves.

John Hadman is secretary of Ashton Conker Club, in Northamptonshire, which organises the annual World Conker Championship.

He applauded Le Cateau School for holding the conker tournament, adding: "Many schools have banned conkers, as well as games like skipping, because they fear being sued - I think it's unnecessary nannying.

"If you supervise the children properly there should be no problem."

The winners of Le Cateau's conker tournament were David Bulmer, aged five, Cameron Fairbairn, six, Gemma Aston, eight, and Jake Sims, who is nine.

The winner of the best conker name was Aiden Welch, nine, with William the Conker-er.