MIDDLEWICH Town Council will mark the appointment of Middlewich’s first Town Crier for more than 100 years by hosting the 2015 British Town Crier Championships.


The event, which will take place in September, is the most prestigious of the town crier calendar and will see town criers come from all around the country to compete.


Middlewich town crier Devlin Hobson was appointed in September last year with the Town Council just missing out on the chance to host the 2014 event.


Devlin said: “We thought it would be a great idea to have the British Championships in Middlewich for the first year that we have had a town crier in more than 100 years.


“It is yet another event for Middlewich and it always attracts the big crowds. There will be about 25 criers taking part so that’s people from 25 towns coming here.”


Devlin, who came third in the Championships last year in Chester, will not be able to compete this year but will host the competition.


The Town Council decided to put their name forward to host the event, seeing it as another way in which to put Middlewich on the map.


Jonathan Williams, Middlewich town clerk, said: “The organisers were looking for a host and as Dev is new on the scene we wanted to help and make a contribution by hosting this prestigious event.


“It ties into our programme of events really well including the Makers Market and it will attract people from all over the country, giving us another great chance to show people who we are and where we are.


“Dev doesn’t take part because he is hosting the event but it means he is then available to help us set it up.”