TOWN criers from across the country will be putting their vocal skills to the test when their national championships are staged in the region this summer.

At least 25 criers, representing towns and cities across the UK, will head to Durham for a weekend of activities on Saturday, July 3.

City marketing officials have arranged the championship to tie in with Durham's annual summer festival weekend and hope the colourful pageantry will help to draw the crowds.

They also hope to show off the merits of the medieval city as a tourist destination so the contestants will proclaim Durham's virtues on their return home.

Yesterday, Durham's own recently-selected crier, former city councillor Colin Beswick, announced details of the championship to the bemusement of passers-by in the Market Place.

In a proclamation from the steps of the Town Hall, Mr Beswick said events would begin with a parade of all 25-plus criers through the city to Palace Green, between the cathedral and castle.

They will then return for the competition, staged by the Loyal Company of Town Criers, at the Town Hall.

Then, prizes for different categories and the overall winner, will be presented during an awards ceremony at a banquet at St Aidan's College, Durham, on the Saturday evening.

As host city, Durham's crier is not allowed to enter, although he will be busy announcing competitors to the crowd.

Angela Colbridge, events co-ordinator of organisers Durham City Forum, said: "We really want to make a full weekend of it, to give competitors something to look back fondly on their stay in Durham, and so they'll go away and tell people about it.

"It's a fantastic opportunity to show off the city."

The event is supported by Newsquest North-East, publishers of The Northern Echo, and the Prince Bishops Shopping Centre.