DURHAM'S decibel-breaking bid to stage the national town crier championship has been successful.

City chiefs are shouting from the rooftops after the Loyal Company of Town Criers picked the city to host next year's contest.

Angela Colbridge, of the Durham Marketing Initia-tive, said the judging panel cast six votes in favour of Durham and one in favour of a rival. The judges did not reveal who the rivals were, but Durham was one of three cities shortlisted.

In November, the secretary of the Loyal Company of Town Criers, David Mitchell, arrived in Durham, to report back to the judging panel on the city's merits and the historic attractions that could form the backdrop for the competition. Speaking this week, Mrs Colbridge said: "It's wonderful news. Obviously we pressed the right buttons when we were showing him around.

"He was just bowled over with the different locations where the competition could be held. There's the Palace Green with the castle, the Town Hall and Millennium Square."

Criers from as far away as Australia and Finland are expected to attend the competition, which will coincide with Durham's summer festival on July 3 and 4.

It will have major spin-offs for the city, which is the first location in the North-East to stage the event.

"You get national and sometimes international coverage, so it's a great opportunity for Durham," said Mrs Colbridge.

"There will be about 25 contestants, who will be bringing with them their consort, so there will be people from all over the country and possibly abroad."

Durham only picked its first official town crier last month. Contestants had to bellow from the balcony of the Town Hall, before an audience gathered in the Market Square below.

The winner was former city councillor Colin Beswick, of Meadowfield.

He said: "I'm absolutely delighted with the news. It's wonderful."