Noise levels are likely to go through the roof in Melksham on Saturday as the town holds its first ever town crier contest.

The contest, which is being organised by Melksham’s own crier of two years, Peter Dauncey, will see 22 town criers from Wiltshire and surrounding counties compete, as well as others from as far afield as Ilfracombe in Devon and Llandovery in Wales.

Mr Dauncey said the criers will each belt out their home town cry in the morning and in the afternoon they will be using their humour when they create their own cries about ‘food’, themed around the Change 4 Life campaign for healthier lifestyles.

He said: “Some of their cries are quite funny as people will hear. There are several cups that have been sponsored by local businesses who were very keen to come forward and support the event.

“As well as cups for the contest and others for the best dressed town crier and best dressed escort and couple there is also a Wiltshire Cup.”

Mr Dauncey said this is because there are town criers from Trowbridge, Wootton Basset, Swindon, Westbury and Warminster, as well as himself competing.

Local companies involved in sponsoring the event include the Kings Arms Hotel in Market Place, which is sponsoring the main trophy.

Also involved are the Wessex Association of Chambers of Commerce, who will be sponsoring the Wiltshire Cup.

Mr Dauncey said: “The event is one of many in the future I hope. When I was town crier in Hereford I ran a competition like this there for 14 years and it became quite a draw to the area.

“I am starting this one off gently to establish it, but I am hoping it will bring a lot of people into the area.

“It’s something nice and lively for Melksham just before the food and drink festival, to start it off.”

The town criers contest will be followed by the Bathampton Morris Men entertaining the crowds and Mr Dauncey gave a special thank you to Melksham Air Cadets, who are due to act as runners on the day.