ENTHUSIASTIC competitors rallied to Ilkley Bandstand on Saturday to battle it out in the first Yorkshire Conker Championships.

Ilkley Wharfedale Rotary Club held its inaugural competition in Ilkley town centre, and hopes to continue its quest to revive the seasonal tradition with another championship duel held next autumn.

In the end it was the Thomas family which proved to be the region’s experts.

Grandfather Mel Thomas took the senior Yorkshire Champion title and his 11-year-old grandson, Luke, won the junior title.

Ben Rhydding Explorer Scouts assisted with scoring and umpiring the event, which was sponsored by the Ilkley Shoe Company.