Ref. 31037-58OYEZ! Three of Swindon's biggest firms will have something to shout about next month.

Town crier Fred Ferris is travelling to Durham on July 3 to take part in the British Championships of the Loyal Company of Town Criers, and this year, for the first time, one of the rounds will involve extolling the virtues of products from each town.

Fred has picked Triumph International, Arkell's brewery, and Honda as his three subjects and is now practising his shout. Fred, who has been Swindon's town crier since 1997, said: "This is the sixth time I have been to the championships.

"We do a home cry and then in the afternoon normally it is something historical. But this year it has been changed and the idea is that you give a shout on products made and supplied in your home town."

As well as shouting about Arkell's, Triumph and Honda, Fred will be handing out free samples of underwear and cans of beer.

But he said: "It's not only for display but also to give out to the public. I stress it's the public, because some of the town criers have been to Swindon and tasted Arkell's beer, and I know they liked it."

Fred's shout about Swindon includes an explanation of how it grew with the advent of the railway and now boasts the Steam Museum and the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Village.