THE tension was mounting among the colourfully clad competitors who gathered in Durham City town hall at the weekend.

Twenty men and women, all decked out in cheerfully garish outfits, festooned with feathers and metres of lace, nervously awaited the outcome - who would be crowned National Town Crier Champion.

The scene was a riot of noise and colour.

Three female contestants aside, the average entrant appeared to be of hearty stock, a smiling man, stout of figure and fond of a drop of ale.

"Being a town crier is thirsty work, after all," said one beaming competitor.

The judging panel of oratory experts awarded marks for diction and clarity.

But it was a close run thing with only half a point separating first place from fourth in their final analysis.

During Saturday afternoon, each had given a performance piece in the Market Place, centred on a traditional food or craft from their home town.

The torrential rain had failed to dampen the spirits of the professional loudmouths, who had travelled from across the UK to entertain crowds of shoppers as they bellowed and rang bells around the city centre.

Their host was Durham City town crier, and former mayor, Colin Beswick, a role that prevented him from competing.

Among the contestants was Chester-le-Street crier Marjorie Dodds, a retired teacher, who was appointed to the post in November 2002.

"It is about clarity and diction and projection," said Marjorie. "It's not shouting, it's telling people what they want to know and telling them clearly and making sure they understand."

Eventually, the waiting was over. Hugh Evans, DJ with Durham Local Radio, read out the winner's name - Terry Stubbings, town crier for Lincoln, who had impressed the judges with a soliloquy to the Lincolnshire sausage.

Mr Stubbings looked stunned by his new title.

"I'm absolutely lost for words," he said. "I am delighted to be this year's reigning British champion."

The event was sponsored by the Prince Bishops Shopping Centre and Newsquest North-East, publisher of The Northern Echo.

It was organised by Durham City Forum as the highlight of the city festival, which finished yesterday.

Forum chairman Richard Toynbee said: "The criers were fantastic. They really stuck with us through the weather.

"Hopefully, we can get them back in the near future."