ILKLEY Town Crier Isabel Ashman was crowned 'best dressed' at the inaugural Town Crier Championships in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

The event was hosted by the market town's resident town crier Gordon Brayford on April 16.

Isabel, who has been Ilkley's town crier since August 1, 2014, and who also won 'best dressed' at Bridlington's Bi Annual Old Town Summer Festival Town Crier competition last year, said: "The day started with coffee in full regalia in the mayor, Sandra Hambleton's, parlour, followed by a parade through the town centre on Saturday morning led by a marching band.

"The criers then competed with their home cries in the town centre. I was number five and rang my bell to extol the virtues of Ilkley to the watching crowds and the panel of distinguished judges.

"After lunch, there was a junior town crier competition. Myself and Adrian Holmes, town crier of Sandwell, mentored the children and lent them our hats and bells.

"Then the afternoon competition theme-cry was about legendary circus founder Philip Astley, a famous son of Newcastle under Lyme. I was the first crier of the afternoon. The prizes were presented by the mayor at a gala dinner that evening attended by 65 dignitaries from the area, including six mayors and representatives from the Newcastle under Lyme Civic Society.

"I was honoured to once again win the Best Dressed Town Crier prize – a teapot on a mahogany stand. All the competitors also received a lovely glass paperweight bearing the crest of Newcastle under Lyme from the mayor herself and a glass trophy from the Civic Society of Newcastle under Lyme."