HELMSLEY is warming up to host the National Town Crier Competition this weekend.

The Helmsley Invitational National Town Criers Competition for The Magna Carta Trophy on Saturday will be the first to be held in the town, and 20 town criers will be travelling from across the world, including Bermuda and Nova Scotia, as well as Malton and Norton, to compete.

David Hinde, Helmsley’s world record breaking town crier, and the Helmsley in Business group will host the competition, which is to be held at Helmsley Walled Garden.

The competition will start at 11am when the criers will perform their “home cry”.

At 2pm there will be a parade around the town of criers and consorts in their regalia, before they return to the walled garden.

A second cry on the topic of Helmsley, the Medieval Baron Richard De Ros and the famous Magna Carta will take place at about 2.40pm, before the winners are announced by the judges.

The trophies will be presented between 4pm and 4.30pm. The criers will be judged according to the rules of the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers, of which David is a member.

David said: “It should be a fantastic day out for all the family, with plenty to watch and listen to, and lots going on in local businesses too.

“Hopefully the good weather will continue, and everyone will be able to sit in the sunshine and enjoy the spectacle.

“We’d like to thank all of our sponsors for their help in making the competition a reality.”

“We look forward to welcoming international and national criers from all over the world to visit the wonderful town of Helmsley.”

For more information about the event, go to visithelmsley.co.uk