Conker ban criticised as simply nuts.

Byline: By Kevin DonaldThe Journal

Conker games have been banned by another school ( this time over fears they may spark nut allergies.

Despite no recorded cases of anyone falling seriously ill through conker poisoning, Gary Postlethwaite, the head Bookwell Primary, in Egremont, Cumbria, is taking no chances.

Some children at the school suffer nut allergies and he believes chestnuts may be a threat to them.

But even the National Anaphylaxis Campaign, working on behalf of those with severe allergies, thinks he has gone over the top.

"We think it is an over-reaction for school to ban conkers because they think there is an allergy risk," said a spokesman.

The ban follows conker trees having their branches chopped off in South Shields over safety fears for kids gathering chestnuts, one Carlisle primary school insisting conker-playing kids must wear safety goggles, and another proposing safety gloves.

MEP Martin Callanan, campaigner for the preservation of conkers as a playground game, said: "Words absolutely fail me, this is like some kind of joke. I have never heard of anyone developing an allergy to conkers.

"The way these schools are acting you would think conkers were the greatest threat to the safety of our children since the great plague. It is bonkers."

Yesterday Mr Postlethwaite defended his actions, saying: "We have children in school with severe nut allergies and children have been told not to bring conkers in.

"Children were allowed to play conkers before someone realised they could spark off nut allergies."

Kevin Donald