This year's World Town Crier Tournament has officially begun, marking Chester's first time staging the competition since 2014

Organised by Chester's own town crier, David Mitchell, and Marketing Cheshire, entrants have travelled from the UK, Europe, Australia, Canada and the United States.

Kicking off today (Monday 21 September), the competition will feature three dedicated competition days, with the winner crowned the world's best.

Day one at Town Hall Square features "Hometown Cry" performances, judged on vocal strength, confidence, presentation and audience engagement, with additional awards for best-dressed participants.

Day two (24 September) at Eastgate Square will feature a second themed round, with scores kept confidential until the final results.

The event concludes on day three (26 September) at Exchange Square, where combined scores will determine the overall champion alongside a Best Ambassador award.

A non-celebrity panel of published authors, school directors and businesspeople will score on vocal proficiency, confidence, bearing, content and audience engagement, with results kept under wraps until Saturday's final.

In addition to the main contest, each day a celebrity panel, which as well as Sam, includes TV presenter Lucy Meacock and Corrie star Ian Puleston-Davies, will pick and announce their favourite.

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Marketing Cheshire secured a grant from Airbnb's Best of British Fund to stage the event, helping to showcase the city to a national and international audience.

Chester's town criers, David and Julie Mitchell, deliver civic welcomes in 15 languages and perform regular proclamations across the city centre between June and September.