14288/1Conker games will continue as normal this weekend at Westonbirt Arboretum despite one school forcing conkers players to wear eye goggles as a safety restriction this week.

Headteacher Shaun Halfpenny sparked howls of derision by ordering children at Carlisle's Cummersdale Primary to wear goggles.

But Westonbirt's education and interpretation manager Ben Oliver said there was little chance of getting hurt by a conker.

Mr Oliver said: "There is a lot of health and safety news now about conkers that is over the top. We have done a risk assessment and the chances are the only thing you will get is a bruised knuckle. Really the chances of hurting yourself are minor if it is played sensibly.

"We feel safe because at our event the parents are still responsible for their children."

The National Conker Championships have been an annual fixture in the arboretum's diary and were due to take place this Saturday. But this year the tournament has been replaced with a broader ranging family event including conker games.

For more information, please call Ben Oliver on (01666) 881211.