Town crier proves a vocal hero

Michael Wood now hopes to get his autobiography published

A town crier from East Riding has seen off strong international competition to be crowned world champion for the third time.

Michael Wood was crowned "Best Overall Crier" at the 10th World Town Crier Championship in Newquay, Cornwall.

The East Riding Town Crier's emergence as the world's number one ended the domination of the Australians, who scooped the last three titles.

And despite representing Great Britain at the championship, the vocal hero said: "I dedicated my win to my kids."

It was the first time the event, organised by the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers, had been staged in Britain.

101 criers from around the world descended on Newquay to be judged on volume, intonation, deportment and dress.

Coffee and cigarettes

Mr Wood added: "Thrilled as I am to win, without the sponsorship and support of the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, my tri-corn hat trick of accolades might never have happened."

The former soldier said his 22 years in the army formed the ideal training for the job.

And he attributed his strong voice to a lifetime of black coffee, burnt toast and strong cigarettes.

But the night before the 10 May contest Mr Wood said he limited himself to "one cigarette instead of ten, one beer instead of ten and ten hours of sleep instead of one".

The East Riding Town Crier is now hoping to bring his story to a wider audience by finding a publisher for his autobiography.