THE sound of would-be town criers will boom across Durham Market Place on Saturday.

Contestants will take part in Durham Marketing Initiative's town crier competition, each one giving a 200-word address on an aspect of the city from the balcony of the Town Hall at 1pm.

The entrants confirmed so far are Colin Beswick, the former city councillor who has been the city's "unofficial'' crier, Lawrence Jones, who performs at medieval banquets, and Colin Clark, a medieval performer.

The initiative received applications from people across the region but they were ruled out because of a lack of local knowledge.

The competitors will also undergo an interview. The judges are David Mitchell, of Chester, who is secretary of the Loyal Company of Town Criers, Mayor of Durham Councillor Ray Gibbon and Ron Batty, of the Chester-le-Street and Durham Enterprise Agency.

The competitors will be introduced by Hugh "Moose'' Evans, presenter of the breakfast show during Durham Local Radio's recent trial broadcast.

"David will advise the other judges what to look for,'' said Angela Colbridge, of the initiative.

"It's not just about having a loud voice. People have to be able to understand what is being said.

"I think it will be a good competition. They look like they will be good participants.''

The town crier will add a bit of medieval pageantry to events including Christmas and summer festivals.

The city hopes to host next year's town crier competition organised by the Loyal Company.