TOWN crier Fred Ferris went to Preston to congratulate his opposite number on the town's new city status.

Preston and Swindon were rivals in the competition for the accolade, but Mr Ferris showed that Swindonians are not poor losers.

Mr Ferris, a familiar sight and sound at civic functions, congratulated Preston town crier Mike Chapman in a ceremony at Blackpool Council Chamber.

For the Swindon town crier, there will be further visits to the North before the end of the year, as Mr Ferris takes part in various competitions.

At the weekend, he will be pitting his lungs and vocal chords against those of fellow criers from throughout the country at a contest in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.

A week later, he will be dividing his time between the Swindon College graduation ceremony and a competition at Hastings and St Leonards in West Sussex.

But on November 23 and 24 he will be heading back up the motorway to Yorkshire for a competition in Haworth and Keighley.

During that visit, he will make an appearance in full station master's uniform to the station at Worthy, film location for much of The Railway Children.