A SUMMER event that was set to see international town criers descend on Helmsley has been postponed.

The Ancient & Honourable Guild of Town Criers Championships 2020 was due to take place in the town's Walled Garden on July 18, but due to the current coronavirus pandemic it has been postponed.

Almost 30 town criers had already signed up to take part in the championships, with competitors travelling from as far away as Victor Harbour in Australia, New Glasgow in Nova Scotia and Bermuda.

The Championships take place in a different location each year, hosted by the local town crier.

Although the venues had already been agreed for the 2021 and 2022 championships, the host venues both kindly agreed to postpone their events until the following years, so the Helmsley event can take place in 2021.

David Hinde, Helmsley's town crier, who is organising the event with the Helmsley in Business group in conjunction with the Guild, said: “It was a difficult decision to make as we have been organising and planning the event for the best part of a year and the whole town and our sponsors were very much looking forward to it.

"However, with the current situation across the world it was the right thing to do.

"We’d like to thank the Guild who agreed to let us postpone the event until next year.

"Stay safe everybody and we will get through this together.”

Owen Collier, chairman of the Ancient & Honourable Guild of Town Criers, said: "Although the Guild Championships will not be taking place in July this year, on behalf of the Ancient & Honourable Guild of Town Criers, I would like to convey our greetings and thanks to David Hinde, the organisers and the good people of Helmsley.

"I have spoken to many criers now about the postponement and although we are all disappointed that it will not take place this year, we are all of the general consensus that the Ancient & Honourable Guild Championships in 2021 promise to be a prestigious event and something to look forward to."

The event has support and sponsorship from local groups and businesses including Wharfedale Homes, Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors, Thomas of Helmsley, Deep Blue Fish and Chips and The Yorkshire Society.