DORCHESTER'S much-loved booming voice has once again won the Town Crier's National Championship Challenge Cup.

Alistair Chisholm said he was "absolutely delighted" to have won the award for the ninth time.

To mark the occasion the mayor and mayoress of the county town, Tim and Anita Harries, paraded Alistair with his cup in hand from the Town Pump down South Street - in a wheelbarrow.

Heads turned as the mayoress, wearing a multi-coloured hat, wheeled Alistair down the street.

Residents, staff and supporters of Alistair gathered as he then hauled himself out of the wheelbarrow outside Goulds to make a cry, which was written by the mayoress.

"Three cheers for our town crier", said the mayor.

Tim added: "He's just a great man for our town. Well done to him, we're all very proud of him."

The competition was held in Hastings last week where competitors faced two tough rounds to show off their skill.

Alistair said: "Town crying is a strange business but I love it. I am really chuffed because there were some really good contestants this year. There was only 14 of us but there was some fantastic talent and it was great to be challenged.

"The first round's topic is given to us - which was 1066 as this year is a big year as it's the 950th anniversary. And then round two was all about Dorchester.

"If there is anywhere worth that is shouting about it's Dorchester. And there is so much to say about the town it's hard to keep it down to 100 words or so. I'm just chuffed. I think the record for winning is ten time, so you never know what could happen next year."

Alistair added that the town was thinking of organising a junior town competition to promote the idea of a town crier.