A RETIRED teacher and former market trader were two of the contenders who put on their biggest bellow as they vyed for the role of town crier.

The five finalists for the role of town crier for Chester-le-Street, faced the acid test yesterday, when they stood before a crowd of shoppers in full town crier regalia to shout a five-minute proclamation.

The competitors battled to hold the attention of the crowd which had gathered next to the town's market in the rain, and read from a script handed to them an hour earlier.

One of the judges, Alex Nelson, from the town traders' association, which set up the contest, said they were not just looking for someone who could shout loudly.

The original criteria was for applicants to have a "thunderous, yet articulate voice" and to be approachable, civic-minded, reliable and dignified.

Mr Nelson said: "The ability to do the crying is much more important than previous job history, so we have presented them in front of the public. And it is not just about a loud voice. If you are just shouting people don't react. They need an arresting voice to get people to stop whatever they are doing."

The competitors came from different walks of life and included James Henry Race, a retired store manager and banjo player and the competition's only female contestant, Marjorie Dodds, a retired school teacher.

The winner will be given 20 engagements a year and will be able to hire themselves out for private ceremonies. They will also be kitted out in town crier's outfits and given a business plan. The winner will be announced at the beginning of next week.

Contestants are in with a shout

The finalists were:

* James Henry Race, 79, from Houghton-le-Spring. A keen amateur dramatics actor he lists his skills as hypnotism, stand-up comedy and playing the banjo.

l Lawrence Jones, from Durham City, has spent 45 years in amateur dramatics and ten years performing at the medieval banquets at Lumley Castle near Chester-le-Street. Mr Jones works as a maths lecturer at New College, Durham.

* Jim Chambers, 58, from Rickleton, Washington, was given expert tuition by one of his friends Joe David, the Queen's town crier and Yeoman of the Guard at the Tower of London.

* Marjorie Dodds, a retired school teacher from Newcastle thought her experience in the classroom would help command the attention of a crowd.

* William Martin, from Newcastle, took a break from his work as a market officer for Chester-le-Street District Council to enter the competition. Mr Martin has had plenty of practice for the role, having worked as a market trader.