Conkers seized by police

A policeman stopped and searched four children - for having conkers.

The children were issued with forms informing them why they were stopped from knocking the conkers from the tree.

Diana Jayne told how she and seven-year-old son Kiya went back to the tree in Littlehampton, West Sussex, the next day - and were confronted by the same policeman.

Diana, 41, said she was told the tree had a preservation order and was on private property.

The local council later confessed neither was true.

According to The Sun she said: "The kids were only throwing sticks up into the tree - it was harmless fun."

Rebecca Richardson, 36, whose son Charlie, 11, was also issued with a form, said: "I thought it was a joke."

Sussex Police confirmed: "We confiscated a large bag of conkers. The forms are a necessary form of bureaucracy to ensure parents are aware we have spoken to their children."