Officials in the British village of Ashton say the upcoming World Conker Championships will probably not be hindered by the presence of soft conkers.

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With over 250 men and 60 women expected to compete in the 2006 version of the annual competition, many were concerned that a drought in September would lead to smaller nuts for the event. But Sky News said organizers have reported a quality crop for the event.

Conkers -- a game that uses the nuts from area Horse-chestnut trees as tools to garner points -- has been a popular British tradition since it was created in 1965 by area fishermen.

"Things started in a small way when a group of regulars at the local pub were thwarted by bad weather in their attempt to organize a fishing expedition," Ashton Conker Club official John Hadman said.

"The suggestion that they play conkers was made and taken up," he told Sky News. "A small prize was awarded to the winner and a collection was made for charity by someone who had a blind relative."