A TOWN crier has something to shout about after winning a national competition.

Robert Needham, from Wivenhoe, took home the trophy for “best content of cry” at the British Championships at Stoke on Trent.

Up against 14 criers from across the country, the competitors had to compose a cry relating to an historical event which had taken place in their area in the last 100 years.

Mr Needham, who has been Colchester’s town crier for 20 years, said: “I decided to speak about the 1953 floods in Wivenhoe where there had been a dramatic rescue.

“I chose the floods because I had been around in 1953, it was stuck in my mind and I was able to give more detail to it.”

The cry mentions a woman who was rescued from the floods, a rescue which Mr Needham watched.

Mr Needham was given a glass trophy. The overall award for British champion title was won by a crier from Hastings, Sussex.

Mr Needham was named European champion ten years ago, but this is first award he has won since then.

He said: “I’m clearly levelling off. I absolutely love it though. I have no plans to stop.”

Colchester is set to host a town crier competition, the Gilde van de Bellemannen, on Saturday, August 20.

As host town crier, Mr Needham will not be able to take part, but he will perform a cry.

He said: “It’s going to be great for the town. I must mention Colchester Council, which awarded £1,000 to the event.”

The first round, will be held in Lion Walk from 11am, with the second round in Culver Square at 2pm before judges announce a winner.