Scorching summer temperatures have left organisers of Sussex's nuttiest competition facing a crisis.

The onset of an early autumn means horse chestnut trees have been shedding their leaves weeks before conker season usually swings into action.

Organisers of the 2003 Team Conker Competition, which takes place in Angmering, near Littlehampton, are busy collecting about 600 conkers to distribute to contestants.

But they fear the nuts will be too soft and small for the competition, having fallen from the trees too early.

Conkers only remain at optimum playing condition for about two weeks after they have fallen to the ground, after which time they become too hard.

Organiser Tony Booth said: "Conkers usually fall between mid-September and mid-October but with this year's earlier autumn, I just don't know what to expect.

"If they are left too long on the ground, they become harder as they rot.

"I've already noticed this year's conkers are smaller than usual, often with three squeezed into a shell where usually there is just one or two.

"That may be because of the recent windy weather blowing them down before they are ready. "

But for reigning world conker champion Liz Gibson, 50, of Hurstpierpoint, near Hassocks, smaller, softer conkers will be an advantage.

Mrs Gibson won the women's world conker championship in Peterborough last year and is planning to defend her title at this year's contest.

She said: "Last year it wasn't conker bashing but accuracy that helped me win. If you can't just whack a conker you get points for the most accurate hits and a hard conker is not so vital for that. "

The world championships and the team competition takes place on Sunday, October 12.

So far, about 25 teams of three have entered the Sussex event, which will take place at the Spotted Cow in High Street, Angmering. It is raising money for the Chestnut Tree House children's hospice.

For details, call The Spotted Cow on 01903 783919.