CHOOSE your best and shiniest conker and prepare to do battle at the Poole Park Conker Championship.

The Victorian Park is full of magnificent horse chestnut trees which have been shedding their polished treasures wrapped in prickly cases and the traditional autumn game is set to re-awaken childhood memories of awesome "sixers".

Organiser Martin Whitchurch said: "It would have been a Victorian school yard game. In these days of electronic games we are trying to recapture that simple fun."

He admitted it would be tempting fate to state the contest would be the first ever championship held in Poole Park adding: "If anyone has any photos or memories of similar events in the park, we would love to see them. Please bring them along on the day."

Here's everything you need to know about what's happening, when and what the rules are. 

When is it? 

The event is being staged today (October 29) from 2.30pm at the cricket pavilion.

Who can take part? 

There will be knock-out contests for adults and children.

Do I need to take my own conker?

Take along your own conker or there will be some available. For those who don't want to take part in the contest there will be a conker decorating competition.

Bournemouth Echo:

The rules

1. No cheating! That includes baking, dipping in vinegar, filling with glue or in any way seeking to strengthen your conker.

2. There will be mixed groups with trophies for under 12s, over 12s and adults.

3. If you swing and hit you keep hitting and keep going.

4. If you swing and miss, it's your opponents go.

5. Once your conker is smashed you are out of the competition.

6. Only one conker allowed per person.

What else is happening?

The championship takes place as part of Get Involved in Poole Park Life day from 10am to 4pm, which involves a range of free activities centred around the £2.9million Poole Park Heritage Lottery Fund bid.

Between 10am and 12noon, there is the chance to Get Hands On and help manage the park by cutting back bamboo around the freshwater lake and plant some bulbs.

A leisurely one hour guided walk takes place from 1pm to 2pm, find out how the Victorians relaxed and used the park for recreation. Meet at the cricket pavilion.

Facts

1. Steven Prescott and Amy Farrow were crowned King and Queen Conker at this year's World Conker Championships in Northamptonshire. Steve was named overall champion.

2. The winners were then seated on a conker throne and adorned with a conker crown. 

3. 200 entrants from 10 countries, including Japan, South Africa and the US battled it out at the event in Southwick. 

4. According to the Guinness World Records, the largest conker championship was organised by Hampstead Heath Education Centre in 2011 when 395 people took part. 

5. The National Woodland Inventory of Woodland Trees estimates there are 470,000 Horse Chestnut trees in Britain.