MARCH players were the winners at the ninth annual Wisbech and Fenland Conker Championships. Sue Burgess, from March Catholic Church, won the ladies event and Derek Rutter, from March Lions Club, won the men s title. The event was organised by the Wisbe

MARCH players were the winners at the ninth annual Wisbech and Fenland Conker Championships.

Sue Burgess, from March Catholic Church, won the ladies' event and Derek Rutter, from March Lions Club, won the men's title.

The event was organised by the Wisbech Lions Club and held at the Oasis Centre on Friday.

Organiser Kevin Rodgers said: "It was one of the best events we've ever had. We had more than 80 people and we even had a special appearance from the former world conker champion, Ady Hurrell, from Whittlesey.

"We're good at organising conker matches in Wisbech but not good at winning them."

He added: "We read all the time about conkers being banned in schools. This is our way of sticking it to political correctness."

The event raised approximately �430, which will pay for musical instruments for pupils of Elm Road Primary School, Wisbech and the cost of transport for people from the Wisbech disability group PHAB Club to Peterborough Lions Special Games.

Mr Rodgers and three other Wisbech men: Rob Warner, David Smart, Ian Spooner, were also among the 400 people to compete in the World Conker Championships in Northamptonshire on Sunday, but were unsuccessful.