Maurice crying down under (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Maurice crying down under

FAIRFORD town crier Maurice Jones flew off to Australia this week to take part in the World Town Criers Championship.

The week-long event takes place from Saturday in Maryborough, Queensland, where around 100 town criers from around the world will congregate.

Criers from Canada, USA and Belgium are all expected to show up, but Fairford's larger than life candidate is confident of doing the town proud.

Maurice, 63, who has been crying in Fairford for around 20 years, has never been to Australia before. This is his fourth world championship.

He said: "I have gone places I wouldn't have gone without my red coat, including South Africa and the United States.

"I am all ready to go, although I am not too confident about winning - but that way I won't be disappointed if I don't do very well."

Fairford's most vocal resident faces three rounds of crying in front of a panel of judges and will be marked for clarity, accuracy and diction.

His first cry must be about his home town, his second about Maryborough and his third on a subject of his own choice.

The current champion of the a bi-annual event is Michael Wood from Yorkshire.