Colin Beswick rings out the good news last night that Durham has been chosen to host the national town crier championships next year.
The Loyal Company of Town Criers picked the city from a shortlist of three, but has declined to reveal who the rivals were.
The event will coincide with Durham's summer festival on July 3 and 4.
Angela Colbridge, from the Durham Marketing Initiative, said: "It's wonderful news.
"It will have major spin-offs for the city - the first location in the North-East to host the event.
"There will be about 25 contestants, so there will be people from all over the country and possibly abroad."
Durham only picked Mr Beswick as its first official town crier last month, in a contest backed by The Northern Echo.
He said: "I'm absolutely delighted with the news. It's wonderful."
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