Conkers may have suffered from the good summer weather

A combination of the hot weather over the summer and lack of rain has meant the conker crop is earlier and smaller than usual.

And the wind and rain at the weekend meant many conkers fell from the trees.

John Hadman, secretary of the Conker Championships, told BBC News Online that there was "a potential problem".

He said: "We're going to have a good look at the conkers this weekend and if necessary put out an SOS next week for the public to provide us with conkers.

"We will just have to wait and see."

Mild autumns

Mr Hadman said they needed 1,500 conkers for the competition and they ideally needed to be 1.25 inches across.

"If they are on the small side, just as long as they are in reasonable condition we can cope with them," he said.

Keith Kirby, a forestry and woodland officer for English Nature said leaves and fruits dropping in September from the trees was nothing new.

Teams will come from all over the world for the championships

"Over the last few years we have got used to a mild autumn and the leaves and fruits staying on the trees for longer.

"Only 20 years ago we wouldn't have been surprised when the leaves dropped in September."

For those who are planning to take part in the conker championships on 12 October, Mr Hadman said the secret of a good conker was "a good conker tree".

"They need to be as round as possible, but then it's the luck of the draw.

"It's 80% luck and 20% skill."