The town crier of Dorchester emerged victorious at a regional competition.

Alistair Chisholm, Dorchester's town crier, won the 11th Wareham Town Criers' Competition on Saturday, July 13.

The competition featured numerous town criers from all over the region competing for the honour.

Alistair said: "I am delighted to have won this local competition for the first time, as some of the country’s best criers were competing. It was a wonderful day with excellent hospitality, and the event was enjoyed by both those on the same side of the Frome as the criers and those attending the market on the Quay on the opposite side.

"I am looking forward to the next competition I’m entering, which will be the National Championships in Hastings on Saturday 19th October 2019."

Also participating in the competition were Bruce Trigger (Yeovil), Mike Andrews (Ferndown), Andrew Fleming (Swanage), Peder Nielsen (Bromyard), Mike Bishop (Frome), Peter Dauncey (Melksham), Andrew Fox (Ilminster), Nicholas Goodwin (Axminster) and Ken Knowles (Lichfield) and John Collingwood (Bridport).

Wareham's junior crier Peter Leaton and his escort Anya also turned up for the event.

The competition featured two rounds - first of all, the criers gave a Home Cry, followed by a second round which had a theme of 'The Moon'.

These were judged on details such as diction, sustained volume, inflection and clarity.

The competition was judged by Ian Mackintosh, Wareham Town Mayor Hilary Goodinge, and her husband Rick Goodinge and was was held on the banks of the River Frome in Wareham.

Five of these town criers were accompanied by escorts, who turned up in costume as well.

The prize for second place went to Ken Knowles, while third place - as well as the award for best content cry - went to John Collingwood.

There were also costume awards, with Mike Bishop winning best dressed crier.

Best dressed escort was Joan Dauncey and best best dressed couple were Andrew and Julie Fox.

Jacquie Hall, town crier of Wareham, said: "It is always a great day, when criers get together and entertain the crowds that are watching, and trying to guess the winners."