OYEZ, oyez, oyez! Ears as well as tastebuds are in for a treat at Wimborne Food Festival as the Dorset Town Crier's Competition gets off to a deafening start.

Criers from across the county will flock to the town at noon on Sunday, October 24, to shout it out for the coveted Stanley Mansbridge Perpetual Trophy.

As last year's winner and host, Wimborne Town Crier Chris Brown can only oversee the two-round cry-off.

He said: “The first round is for the criers to extol the virtues of their home town and encourage people to visit it.

“It promises to be a veritable feast of dandy costumes, beautiful frocks, healthy lungs and a true display of British eccentricity.”

Each cry must be 100 to 125 words, and the second round is The Foods of Dorset. There’s also a prize for best-dressed crier.

Butcher Paul Keating got caught between Chris and Mellvin Gudger, Pamphill and Shapwick Town Crier, as they practised their rallying cries on the Minster green.

He’ll be giving demonstrations on preparing game throughout the two-day festival.

Paul said: “It’s a skill that’s been lost over the years but we live in such a good area and have it all on our doorsteps.

"The festival is always a great weekend that brings people to the town. I’ll be showing people how to pick meat and cut it.”

For details visit www.wimbornefoodfestival.co.uk