HELMSLEY has been chosen to host the National Town Crier Championships next year.

The 42nd Ancient & Honourable Guild Of Town Criers Championships (AHGTC) will come to the town in 2020.

Following last year’s highly-successful Helmsley Town Crier Competition, organised by the town’s crier David Hinde and Helmsley in Business (HiB), the town put in a bid to hold the championships.

It will take place on Saturday, July 18, 2020, and will be the first time since the early 1990s that it will have been held in the north of England and is thought to be only the second time it has ever been held in Yorkshire.

HiB chairman Tony Porter said: “We are delighted we have been successful with our bid to stage this prestigious event next July, especially as there was strong competition from other worthy towns.”

David Hinde added: “On behalf of the Guild we shall be inviting all the Guild Town Crier members throughout the UK to attend with their consorts. At last year’s championships there were over 40 criers – double the number we had at last year’s Helmsley competition – so it will be a great spectacle and show for businesses, residents and visitors alike.”