TROWBRIDGE town crier Trevor Heeks has been voted third in the world in a competition contested by 130 criers from as far away as Canada, America and Australia.

He went to the championships after two wins, a second and a third this year.

Sporting a new outfit, Mr Heeks had a surprise boost when he arrived at Newquay for the competition, for a coach party of holidaymakers from Trowbridge staying at his hotel.

He said: "It was such a coincidence, a real boost. They didn't know I was at Newquay and I had no idea they were going."

The party left Newquay on Friday, before the contest ended.

He said: "I told them they would have to see how I got on by reading the Wiltshire Times." Since being appointed Trowbridge Town Crier in 1986 Trevor Heeks has won more than 80 awards, among them the world championship in 1989.

He is one of only three criers who have contested the ten world championships over the past 15 years.

He had wanted to be a crier since he was eight years old and used to follow the town crier from his childhood home in Shipston on Stour.

A friend from those days also turned up unexpectedly in Newquay to cheer him on.

"It was a fantastic week," he said. "I felt as if I was on a roll. I had people from my town to support me, and an old friend came too."