Oyez oyez! The British Town Crier Championships will descend on Ely this weekend organised by our very own town crier, Avril Hayter-Smith.

The competition has been an important part of the Eel Day celebrations for more than a decade, but this year will see up to 25 of the UK’s best criers descend on the city to put their boldest voices to the test.

The criers and their consorts will process with the Eel Day parade on Saturday down to the Waterside for their first cry around 11.15am, which will be their “Home Cry” about their own town or city and at 2.30pm the themed cry chosen, by Ely’s Mayor Richard Hobbs will be: “What did the Romans ever do for us”.

Ely crier, Mrs Hayter-Smith, said: “We know that criers go back home and promote Ely in their own towns so this is a wonderful opportunity for Ely to really shine.”

The event comes as Ely received a unanimous vote from The Loyal Company of Town Criers to hold the British Championship in 2018, following how Ely’s own competition has been successfully run in the past.