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UK's town criers shout it out in Darlington for 'Oyez' title

BBC Town criers in DarlingtonBBC
The competition took place in Darlington's Market Cross

Town criers from around the UK have battled it out for a national title.

The Loyal Company of Town Criers British Championships is held in different towns annually and this year Darlington has hosted proceedings.

Competitors rang a bell, cried "Oyez, Oyez, Oyez", which is aimed at "demanding attention", then shouted out a celebration of their home town, and a proclamation on a given subject.

The winner was Paul Gough, the town crier for Nuneaton and Bedworth.

He described himself as "from the county of Warwickshire [home to] Shakespeare and the Teletubbies".

Paul Gough
Paul Gough is the new the British champion

This year's subject for proclamation was "Darlington's markets, past and present".

Councillor Paul Howell, cabinet member for leisure and local environment at Darlington Borough Council, said: "As the topic concerns our markets, I am confident that this event will bring interest in our town from visitors, and we can showcase our future plans for the Victorian Market to encourage them to become regular visitors."