The men’s winner at the annual competition in Northamptonshire was searched by organisers after his rival cried foul play, The Telegraph reports.

The 82-year-old, who has been competing since 1977 but has never won, said he carries the metal replica “for humour value and I did not use it during the event”.

He also denies giving himself an advantage against his 23-year-old opponent while assisting in the preparation of over 2,000 conkers for the event in the role of “King Conker”.

The grand final went on to be won by 34-year-old American woman Kelci Banschbach — the first time an American has won the competition.

World Conker Championships spokesperson StJohn Burkett said: “Allegations of foul play have been received that somehow King Conker swapped his real conker for the metal one later found in his pocket.

“Players select conkers from a sack before each round.

“There are also suggestions that King Conker had marked the strings of harder nuts. We can confirm he was involved in drilling and lacing the nuts before the event.

“We are investigating.”