UNBEATABLE volume, diction, clarity and inflection has won Dorchester's town crier another national title.

Alistair Chisholm beat 20 town criers from all over the country to claim the much-coveted title at the Hastings National Town Criers Championship.

The silver national championship trophy that now stands proudly on display at his Friary Hill home is an achievement that follows his British Championship win.

Mr Chisholm, 62, sung Dorchester's praises and gave a performance of Thomas Hardy poem, Weathers, to be named overall winner.

He said: "I'm now the national champion which is the same as being the British champion - they are two different organisations of town crier and it's very nice to have both. If you're a good town crier, you're a good town crier, although there are differences between the organisations. At my age it's good to know something is still working."

The national competition saw criers turn up the volume but not at the price of diction, clarity, inflection.

Entrants were also judged for their fit of costume, bearing, overall appearance and use of historically relevant props.

Mr Chisholm said: "If you can get a bit of colour into your cry it's more interesting than if you just bawl it out. I will be defending both of those titles next year, and the European Championships or World Championships could be fun."