Criers from across the county are preparing for the Town Crier Championship in Royal Wootton Bassett.

Owen Collier, Royal Wootton Bassett’s town crier since 2005, won the 2012 championship in Calne to become Wiltshire’s best crier and is thrilled to be hosting this year’s competition on September 21.

He said: “I’m looking forward to inviting all the criers here, so hopefully the weather will be kind to us.”

Entrants are judged on volume, diction, inflection, costume and confidence. Criers from Melksham, Ramsbury, Trowbridge, Westbury and Calne have already confirmed their attendance at the event, which will be held in front of the Town Hall from about 2pm.

Owen won the best-dressed town crier contest in Exmouth on May 25 and is the first town crier from Wiltshire to be the Prime Warden of the Guild of Mace Bearers.