Noisy contest for town criers

Oyez, Oyez! Town criers from across the Midlands and further afield had plenty to shout about when they took part in an annual contest.

Kidderminster was the venue for the competition, which was watched and heard by more than 100 people.

The contest featured nine town criers from across the country, including Great Barr and Walsall's Cyril Richardson and Lichfield crier Ken Knowles. Stood on the steps of the town hall, the participants shouted out what was good about their home town.

Then they were given the task to let out a cry about the Queen's Jubilee.

Kidderminster's Town Crier Jim Pearman, aged 72, who is also lay minister at St Mary's Parish Church, said: "It was great to watch and hear. Plenty of people, at first bemused, came to look at what all the noise was about."

The contest was won by Mike Bishop, town crier for Frome in Somerset.