CHARD'S Town Crier has beaten off competition from across the country to be heralded as the best crier at a competition in Frome.

Stuart Cummings competed against 17 other criers, including colleagues from Somerset and competitors from as far as the Isle of Wight.

Mr Cummings said after his victory: "I am very pleased to announce that I have come away from Frome Town Crier competition with three rather grand trophies. I won best crier, Somerset champion and best overall crier, wow.

In second place was Peder Nielsen from Bromyard, and in third was the current world champion Ken Knowles, from Lichfield.

Andrew Fox, the town crier from Ilminster, came second in the Somerset Cup.

David Crainer of South Petherton also took part in the event.

"The weather was absolutely fine and it was very well received," Mr Cummings added.

The competition was hosted by Mike and Angie Bishop, the crier for Frome.

In order to win, the criers had to complete two cries. The first was a home cry, which is a short speech promoting the town that must be between 110 and 125 words long.

The second call out was a free cry, so the competitors could choose their topic of discussion.

Mr Cummings' winning cry was a humourous take on growing old which addressed the mirror having an imposter in it.