Wootton Bassett's deputy town crier Owen Collier has competed in his first national championships.

Mr Collier, 45, of Blackthorn Close, travelled to Hastings at the weekend to take on 29 other criers from across the country.

Mr Collier had to perform his home cry, which starts with the words 'Greetings from Wootton Bassett in the county of Wiltshire, an ancient manor town sat on a hill', before performing a second cry based around a 1940s theme.

Bassett's hollering crier was judged on his volume, clarity and dress.

Mr Collier, who was one of the first five criers to perform, said: "This was my first real big championships. It's the big one that every crier wants to win and I was very pleased with my performance.

"I'm improving all the time and I don't get so nervous so the shakes are less obvious."

Only the top three criers were announced at the weekend and Mr Collier now has a nervous wait for his final positioning.

He said: "It was a very closely marked competition and if I even got into the top ten I'd be over the moon."

The town's deputy crier has previously only taken part in two other competitions but is already stacking up the awards.

In September he won the best dressed crier at a competition in Bishop's Castle. One of his prizes, a wooden wall clock, can be seen hanging in the council's offices.