Conkering hero: Mark Tracy

After the contest, which was held on the village green at Ashton, near Oundle, Northamptonshire, self-employed Mr Tracy said: "I'm a bit stunned. I didn't expect to win.

"I played awful in the first two legs. I couldn't hit anything but I then got my eye in. In the final, I never hit the other guy's conker. He missed two of his three hits then it smashed into bits."

The newly-crowned local hero, whose nephew Jody, the defending champion, crashed out in the first round, added: "At least on this occasion we repelled the German threat after the World Cup qualifier and the Grand Prix."

Organisers said about 5,000 people turned out to watch the 36th championships in the Northamptonshire village and 90 women and 253 men took part.

Sporting institution

The women's event was won by 42-year-old, British-based Austrian Selma Becker.

The audiologist defeated 32-year-old customer relations manager Catherine Teal, from Stamford, Lincolnshire, in the final.

Pondering whether vinegar or baking produces the tougher nut?

Ms Teal made up for the disappointment, however, by being a member of the victorious women's team.

The championships, which began in 1965 when a group of regulars at The Chequered Ship pub in Ashton abandoned a fishing trip, have grown into a sporting institution, drawing substantial crowds to the picturesque village green.

This year, competitors came from Britain, France, Germany, Ireland, Hungary, Poland, Austria, New Zealand, Canada and the United States.

All proceeds from the event were being donated to the Royal National Institute for the Blind.