Chester to host the World Town Crier Tournament

Chester is to host the World Town Crier Tournament after its tourism body secured £50,000 funding from Airbnb's 'Best of British Fund'.

The town crier has been a fixture in Chester since 1554. Now managed by Marketing Cheshire, the service runs as the only daily town crier proclamation in any UK city during the peak summer season.

In a bid to celebrate the traditions and experiences that make British travel unique, Chester has been awarded funding from Airbnb's £1 million initiative to fuel local hospitality, and boost tourism in communities across the UK.

Marketing Cheshire considered World Town Crier Tournament a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the city.

With the Airbnb funding secured, town criers from across the UK, Europe, Australia, Canada and the USA will be invited to compete for the title of the world's best.

Twenty-five town criers are expected to do battle in a week-long free public event in September, with three dedicated competition days set to put Chester firmly in the international spotlight.

"Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! Chester is thrilled to be hosting the World Town Crier Tournament again," said David, who has been Chester's town crier for 27 years and lives in the city.

"It's a fantastic opportunity to showcase our great city and region not just in the UK but the entire planet. Julie and I can't wait to see what talent is out there, and see who really is the best when it comes to town criers."

Chester has previously hosted the tournament four times since the turn of the century – in 2001, 2004, 2010 and 2014. This year's event promises to be bigger and better than ever.

David and Julie Mitchell deliver the Chester town crier welcomes in 15 languages, bringing to life Chester's 2000-year history in an interactive and engaging way. It's a unique tradition which they perform on Tuesday through to Saturday from June to September at noon.

Jamie Christon, chair of Marketing Cheshire and CEO of Chester Zoo, said: "The town crier is part of the fabric of Chester, one of the UK's oldest, most historic and beautiful cities.

"But we are also a very young and modern city, with a thriving university, an exceptional food and drink scene, great shopping and amazing attractions.

"So, the tournament will celebrate our heritage and showcase why Chester remains such a compelling place to visit, stay and fall in love with."

The £50,000 was secured through Airbnb's £1 million Best of British Fund, supported by VisitBritain, which helps communities and businesses across the UK preserve and promote the nation's most distinctive traditions.